[100]-textured diamond films for tribological applications

Application of CVD diamond films as hard coating on tools may offer, in addition to their mechanical properties, also low friction coefficient. In this sense [100]-textured films are potentially advantageous over non-textured films due to their lower roughness. In the present work we demonstrate the capability to deposit [100]-textured diamond films on steel substrates coated with a nitrided chromium thin interlayer, and assess their tribological properties. The [100]-textured diamond films were deposited by MW-PACVD using a methane-hydrogen gas mixture with the addition of minute amounts of nitrogen in the ppm level. Continuous, textured films of good adhesion, and improved tribological properties were obtained. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy and friction coefficient measurements were used for characterization of the deposited films. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.