Properties of diamond like carbon coatings doped with silicon

Abstract

The functionality and quality of many engineering materials depend on the mechanical loads imposed on them and on the specific requirements for their surface, e.g., abrasion resistance and low coefficient of friction. In this regard, covering friction pairs with diamond-like carbon DLC coatings is becoming a common option for lowering the friction coefficient. Several studies reported attempts to improve the behavior of DLC coatings by the addition of selected elements. The aim of this work was to assess the properties of silicon doped DLC coatings. The silicon doped a:C-H coatings were deposited on a 100Cr6 steel substrate by physical vapor deposition PVD. The surface topography of the DLC coatings was examined using atomic force microscopy AFM. The SEM/EDS analysis was used to determine the surface morphology, cross sections and chemical compositions of the coatings. The geometrical structure of the surface before and after tribological tests was measured using an optical profilometer. Coating thickness tests were also carried out. Tribological tests were carried out on a tribotester under technically dry friction.