Influence of structure on the ultralow friction of layered coatings deposited via ion-beam sputtering

Abstract

The influence of technology on the properties of thin films with anisotropic layered structures is investigated. Electron diffraction and electron microscopy investigations of the structure, as well as the testing of tribotechnical properties, are performed. It is established that a deposited wear-resistant sublayer and doped coating materials enhance the durability to a considerable extent and create ultralow friction. A generalized model of dissipationless mass transfer, which does not involve resistance forces affecting motion, is developed. Ultralow friction, superconductivity, and superfluidity are found to be cognate phenomena related to the phase transition of particles at the critical value of a characteristic parameter (overcoming the potential barrier). In the case of dissipationless motion without resistance forces, the energy-efficient arrangement of particles in the crystal lattice is their location in the van der Waals space of layered systems, where the phenomena under study can be predicted.