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Title: Effect of microstructural evolution on mechanical and tribological properties of Ti-doped DLC films: How was an ultralow friction obtained?

Journal Article · · Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology. A, Vacuum, Surfaces and Films
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1116/1.4944053· OSTI ID:22592904
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  1. State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000 (China)

This paper examined the evolution of microstructure and its effect on the mechanical and tribological properties of ultralow friction Ti-doped diamondlike carbon (DLC) films, by adjusting the CH{sub 4}/Ar ratio under constant radio frequency discharge power and bias. The Raman, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscope and nanoindentation measurements consistently reveal or indicate the formation of curved graphene sheets or fullerenelike nanostructures with increasing CH{sub 4}/Ar ratio. The superior frictional performance (0.008–0.01) of Ti-DLC films can be attributed to the special microstructure related to the development of embedded fullerenelike nanostructures as a result of incorporation of TiO{sub 2} clusters. The contributing factors include high hardness and cohesion, excellent toughness, high load-bearing capacity, as well as the ultralow shear resistance transform layer and the excellent antioxidation stability brought by the doped Ti.

OSTI ID:
22592904
Journal Information:
Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology. A, Vacuum, Surfaces and Films, Vol. 34, Issue 3; Other Information: (c) 2016 American Vacuum Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0734-2101
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English