Control of the tribological temperature dependence of hydrogenated amorphous carbon films by doping with W

Abstract

While numerous strategies have been developed to enhance the high-temperature performance of amorphous carbon films, challenges persist regarding high coefficients of friction and wear rates within the mid-temperature range (200–300 °C). In this study, we developed a series of a-C:H(W) films with varying tungsten concentrations and systematically investigated their wear and friction characteristics using Al2O3 ceramic balls at different temperatures. The results reveal that the a-C:H(W) film (W3) with a WC target current of 0.3 A exhibits friction coefficients of 0.10 and 0.06 at 300 °C and 500 °C, respectively. The addition of hydrogen to the film enables stable lubrication in the intermediate temperature range. The presence of carbide facilitates the formation of a continuous protective layer during friction at 500 °C. Additionally, the inclusion of tungsten trioxide effectively reduces friction during high-temperature lubrication. Overall, this a-C:H(W) film shows promise in addressing the challenges of high-temperature wear in mechanical engineering applications under harsh operating conditions.