Wear-resistant multilayered diamond-like carbon coating prepared by pulse biased arc ion plating

Diamond-like carbon coatings have been deposited by a pulse biased arc ion plating. In order to improve their adherence to metal substrate, two system s of graded transition layers, namely Ti/TiN/TiC and Ti/TiCN/TIC, have been applied. The structure and composition of the diamond-like carbon/transiti on composite coatings were studied by scanning electron microscopy, Raman s pectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The total thickness o f the coatings was within a range of 1.0-2.0 mum. Such multi-layer coatings showed excellent properties including high hardness, low friction coeffici ent and long wear-resistant lifetime. Diamond like carbon coatings as well as their wear tracks developed by sliding steel balls have been investigate d by scanning electron microscopy. The results of the analysis, particularl y that of the tribological study showed that the wear resistance and film-t o-substrate adherence of diamond like carbon coatings with stainless steel surface were dramatically improved by using a graded transition layer and p ulse biased arc ion plating. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights rese rved.