TRIBOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR OF DIFFERENT DIAMOND-LIKE CARBON MATERIALS

This paper comparatively studies the tribological behaviour of differe nt types of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings in a reciprocating slid ing wear test. The results are interpreted in terms of structure and s urface morphological characteristics. At the beginning of each recipro cating sliding wear test, the higher coefficient of friction of the DL C coatings reflects the original surface conditions of contacting coun terfaces, whereas the low coefficient of friction achieved under the s teady regime is linked to the presence of wear debris and an enlarged real contact area, sp(2) carbon bonding has been related to the occurr ence of a higher coefficient of friction and surface damage of DLC mat erials compared to bulk diamond. The a-C coatings and ta-C films have a lower coefficient of friction at the steady regime than the a-C:H co atings, possibly due to a significant amount of hydrogen in the a-C:II coatings. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.