Tribological properties of diamond-like nanocomposite coatings at high temperatures

Diamond-like nanocomposites (DLN) films are amorphous and consist of C, H, Si, and O. In addition, metal atoms can be incorporated into the coatings. The DLN coatings exhibit a low coefficient of friction, low wear rate, low stress, high hardness and good adhesion on a variety of substrates. The the rmal stability of DLN films deposited on silicon substrates was investigate d after the samples had been thermally annealed in air and argon atmosphere s. The sample analysis by micro-Raman spectroscopy, nano-indentation and ba ll-on-disk tribometry are reported here. The investigation revealed that th e performance of DLN films from a tribological perspective is very good up to 400 degrees C in air. The hardness of the DLN films showed a decrease of less than 15% up to 400 degrees C in air. The wear rate of the DLN films w as at or below 10(-7) mm(3)/Nm up to 400 degrees C in air. (C) 1999 Elsevie r Science S.A. All rights reserved.