Self-Lubricating PVD Hard Coatings through Tribological Activation

Abstract

PVD (physical vapor deposition) hard coatings are widely used and common in manufacturing technologies, for the use as wear and oxidation protection of tools and components. Therefore, many specialized hard coatings systems have been developed until now. Nevertheless, there is a demand to improve the functionality of PVD hard coatings, i.e. due to a self-lubricating effect through tribological activation. According to the current state of research, solid lubricants with lattice layer structure and oxidic solid lubricants are particularly suitable for this purpose. This work gives an overview on the functional mechanisms as well as required environmental conditions and activation mechanisms of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD) and Magnéli-phases.