Tribochemical Study of Hydrogenated Carbon Coatings With Different Hydrogen Content Levels in Ultra High Vacuum

Abstract

Hydrogenated carbon films (CHx) with different hydrogen content percentages have been examined. Drag tests on CHx coated disks, using 50 percent Al2O3/TiC sliders, with and without carbon coating on the slider air bearing surfaces (ABS), were conducted in an ultra high vacuum chamber equipped with a mass spectrometer. Mass fragments of lubricant released from the head disk interfaces were recorded in real time along with friction measurements. The results show that a higher hydrogen content in the carbon overcoat can improve wear durability by reducing the friction coefficient and affecting the chemical reactions between the sliders and the lubricant. A carbon overcoat on the slider ABS can protect Z-dol lubricant from catalytic reaction with the Al2O3 in the slider material. The wear durability at the head disk interface is controlled by combined mechanical and chemical factors, which are defined by the atomic structures of the contacting surfaces.