This section provides an overview for dlc coatings as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 10 dlc coating manufacturers and their company rankings.
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A DLC coating is a surface treatment technology with excellent features such as high hardness, wear resistance, low friction, and resistance to adhesion.
DLC stands for Diamond-like Carbon.
DLC coating is mainly used to improve wear resistance of metals. It is expected to prevent seizure and improve durability. The main applications of DLC coating are as follows:
DLC is synthesized from diamond and carbon components. It is synthesized by injecting acetylene gas and generating plasma with high frequency and high voltage to break it down into carbon and hydrogen, with the hydrogen being discharged. The positively ionized carbon adheres to the negatively charged product and non-crystals similar to diamond are formed on the surface of the product.
DLC coating reduces the coefficient of friction for many materials, thus contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions.
The characteristics of DLC coating vary depending on the deposition method. There are three major types of deposition methods.
CVD Method
The deposition speed is faster than PVD and can be used for complex shapes. Thick films can also be deposited with hydrogen.
PVD method
Hydrogen-free deposition and high-hardness deposition are possible. It has strong adhesion to the base material and can be used for conductive materials, but thicker films are difficult to achieve.
Plasma ion implantation method
Room temperature deposition is possible and can be applied to rubber, resin, and ceramics.
DLC coating has some drawbacks to go with its benefits:
DLC coating on aluminum can provide wear resistance and low friction. This feature makes it possible to reduce the weight of machine parts, etc. Since aluminum alloys are susceptible to oxidation and contain many different elements, it is necessary to select an intermediate layer that matches the boundary surface between the DLC thin film and the base material. An example of application of DLC coatings to aluminum alloys is coating of engine parts, but low adhesion resulting from the low affinity between carbon and aluminum has been cited as an issue.
Cases of wear of DLC coatings has been reported when sliding with oils containing molybdenum dialkyl dithiocarbamate, a friction modifier. Although the DLC coatings exhibits low friction in a dry environment, it is unlikely to achieve extremely low friction when used as it is as a boundary lubricant. When molybdenum disulfide bonding curtain is used, it is dry and low-friction, but when used as a boundary lubricant, it does not have much durability against friction due to its low wear resistance.
Although DLC coating can be processed on aluminum and brass, the DLC coating may peel off under high load environments. To avoid peeling, the substrate must have high hardness. This method allows the deposited ions to penetrate the substrate surface and achieve high adhesion with the deposited film.
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