Interface design for a-C:H film with super long wear life in high vacuum environment. (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Song, Hui; Ji, Li; Li, Hongxuan; Liu, Xiaohong; Zhou, Huidi; Liu, Liu; Chen, Jianmin
• Is Part Of: Tribology international. Volume 95(2016)
• Page Start: 298
• Page End: 305
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: a-C:H film -- High vacuum -- Interlayer -- Wear life; Tribology -- Periodicals; 621.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.triboint.2015.11.033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-679X

Abstract

Abstract: In the present work, a special interface between substrate and carbon films is introduced to prolong wear life of a-C:H film in high vacuum, and the optimized film exhibits an ultra-long life of 2.6×10 5 cycles, corresponding to 9796.8 m at the normal load of 5 N. Experimental results show that gradient interlayer significantly decreases internal stress, increases adhesion strength as well as improves interface fracture toughness, and then anti-wear ability shows a corresponding improvement. This study discloses that interface design plays important roles in determining tribological behavior of a-C:H film in vacuum, which provides a novel method for developing new generation space lubrication film. Highlights: a-C:H film with a self-formed gradient interlayer was produced by a simple method. Interlayer significantly decreases internal stress and increases adhesion strength. The film with Si/C gradient interface exhibits ultra-long life of 2.6×10 5 cycle. Si/C interface greatly influences tribological behavior of a-C:H film in vacuum.