MICROSTRUCTURE AND WEAR BEHAVIOR OF METAL-CONTAINING DIAMOND-LIKE COATINGS

The excellent tribological performance of metal-containing a-C:H (Me-C:H) films can be attributed to a combination of favorable properties which are ceramic-like on the one hand, i.e. considerable hardness, and polymer-like on the other, i.e. high elasticity and low surface energy. The friction coefficients of Me-C:H films show a complicated dependence on metal content, load and humidity. The dependence on metal content of the coefficient of friction is possibly responsible for the pronounced minima of abrasive wear rates. In addition to a high adhesive wear resistance, the very small counterpart wear is a characteristic of Me-C:H films.