Friction and Wear Performance of Boron Doped, Undoped Microcrystalline and Fine Grained Composite Diamond Films

Chemical vapor deposition （CVD） diamond films have attracted more attentions due to their excellent mechanical properties. Whereas as-fabricated traditional diamond films in the previous studies don＇t have enough adhesion or surface smoothness, which seriously impact their friction and wear performance, and thus limit their applications under extremely harsh conditions. A boron doped, undoped microcrystalline and fine grained composite diamond （BD-UM-FGCD） film is fabricated by a three-step method adopting hot filament CVD （HFCVD） method in the present study, presenting outstanding comprehensive performance, including the good adhesion between the substrate and the underlying boron doped diamond （BDD） layer, the extremely high hardness of the middle undoped microcrystalline diamond （UMCD） layer, as well as the low surface roughness and favorable polished convenience of the surface fine grained diamond （FGD） layer. The friction and wear behavior of this composite film sliding against low-carbon steel and silicon nitride balls are studied on a ball-on-plate rotational friction tester. Besides, its wear rate is further evaluated under a severer condition using an inner-hole polishing apparatus, with low-carbon steel wire as the counterpart. The test results show that the BD-UM-FGCD film performs very small friction coefficient and great friction behavior owing to its high surface smoothness, and meanwhile it also has excellent wear resistance because of the relatively high hardness of the surface FGD film and the extremely high hardness of the middle UMCD film. Moreover, under the industrial conditions for producing low-carbon steel wires, this composite film can sufficiently prolong the working lifetime of the drawing dies and improve their application effects. This research develops a novel composite diamond films owning great comprehensive properties, which have great potentials as protecting coatings on working surfaces of the wear-resistant and anti-frictional components.

Friction Behaviors of the Hot Filament Chemical Vapor Deposition Diamond Film under Ambient Air and Water Lubricating Conditions

The friction behavior of the hot filament chemical vapor deposition（HFCVD） diamond film plays a critical role on its applications in mechanical fields and largely depends on the environment. Studies on the tribological properties of HFCVD diamond films coated on Co-cemented tungsten carbide （WC-Co） substrates are rarely reported in available literatures, especially in the water lubricating conditions. In this paper, conventional microcrystalline diamond（MCD） and fine-grained diamond（FGD） films are deposited on WC-Co substrates and their friction properties are evaluated on a reciprocating ball-on-plate tribometer, where they are brought to slide against ball-bearing steel and copper balls in dry and water lubricating conditions. Scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, atomic force microscopy（AFM）, surface profilometer and Raman spectroscopy are adopted to characterize as-deposited diamond films; SEM and energy dispersive X-ray（EDX） are used to investigate the worn region on the surfaces of both counterface balls and diamond films. The research results show that the friction coefficient of HFCVD diamond films always starts with a high initial value, and then gradually transits to a relative stable state. For a given counterface and a sliding condition, the FGD film presents lower stable friction coefficients by 0.02-0.03 than MCD film. The transferred materials adhered on sliding interface are supposed to have predominate effect on the friction behaviors of HFCVD diamond films. Furthermore, the effect of water lubricating on reducing friction coefficient is significant. For a given counterpart, the stable friction coefficients of MCD or FGD films reduce by about 0.07-0.08 while sliding in the water lubricating condition, relative to in dry sliding condition. This study is beneficial for widespread applications of HFCVD diamond coated mechanical components and adopting water lubricating system, replacing ofoil lubricating, in a variety of mechanical processing fields to implement the green production process.

FRICTION PROPERTIES OF OIL-INFILTRATED POROUS AAO FILM ON AN ALUMINUM SUBSTRATE

The porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) film on a pure aluminum substrate was pre pared by a two-step anodization in a 0.3M oxalic acid solution and pore-enlargem ent treatment in the phosphoric acid aqueous solution at 50℃. The diameter of h ighly ordered pore on the AAO film was about 90nm, and the thickness of the AAO film was 3μm. The mineral oil was infiltrated in the ordered nanometer sized po res of AAO film on an aluminum substrate due to the capillarity effect. The fric tion coefficient was measured using a ball-on-disk tribotester. The tests were c onducted at loads range from 490 to 2450mN and at sliding velocities between 0.1 and 0.5m·s-1. Oil infiltration in porous AAO film modified friction and consid erably improved the wear resistance. As compared to the porous AAO film, the oil -infiltrated specimen had low friction coefficient. With increasing the applied load and sliding velocity, the friction coefficient of the oil-infiltrated film decreased. It indicates that the oil-infiltrated AAO film produced a new way to modify the friction and wear of aluminum alloy.

Effects of fragments on W-DLC films properties under boundary lubrication condition in the friction system

Abstract Effects of film fragments in the friction system on friction and wear properties of tungsten doped diamond-like carbon films （W-DLC） were studied in the condition of boundary lubrication. It could be observed that the average friction coefficient was increased after introducing film fragments into the friction system, where these film fragments can accelerate the breaking of the extreme thin oil film which could separate two friction surfaces when the system is under boundary lubrication conditions. The increasing friction load can accelerate the friction ehenfieal reaction on the friction interface and lead to the crushing effect on film fragments, which decreased the friction coefficient of friction system. It was also found that the wear width, depth, and volume of the film increased by introducing film fragments and applying great load.

Influence of Polyalkylmethacrylate VII on Boundary Film Formation,Friction,Wear and Efficiency of Lubricants

Polyalkylmethacrylates(PAMAs) are well-known as viscosity index improvers and dispersant boosters.This paper shows that PAMAs are able to adsorb from oil solution on to metal surfaces,to produce thick,viscous boundary films.These films enhance lubricant film formation in slow speed and high temperature conditions and thus produce a significant reduction of friction.A systematic study of this phenomenon has made use of the highly flexible nature of PAMA chemistry.A range of dispersant and non-dispersant polymethacrylates has been synthesized.The influence of different functionalities,molecular weights and architectures on both boundary film formation and friction has been explored using optical interferometry and friction-speed charting.From the results, guidelines have been developed for designing PAMAs having optimal boundary lubricating properties.Through their ability to form boundary films PAMAs can significantly contribute to reduce wear in engine,gear and hydraulic lubrication.As a consequence of their viscometric and tribological performance PAMAs can furthermore improve fuel and energy efficiency in different,namely engine and hydraulic applications.Extensive work is currently conducted in the lubricant industry to develop engine oils with lower sulfur,phosphorus and metal content(low SAPS) and to optimize their frictional properties through the use of friction modifiers or synthetic base stocks.We have investigated the contribution of PAMA viscosity index improvers and boosters to improve fuel economy and to reduce wear levels.This paper reports our efforts to develop a new range of PAMAs that have been optimized in terms of composition,architecture,molecular weight and functionality and which can be used in low viscosity,low SAPS formulations to help meet the stringent requirements of modern engine oils.

COVALENTLY ATTACHED MULTILAYER ULTRA-THIN FILMS FROM DIAZORESIN AND CALIXARENES

A kind of photosensitive ultra-thin film was fabricated from diazoresin (DR) and various calixarenes by using theself-assembly technique. Under UV irradiation both the ionic- and hydrogen bonds between the layers of the film will convert into covalent bonds. As a result, the stability of the film toward polar solvents increases dramatically.

SYNTHESIS OF PERFLUORO-1-OCTANESULFONATED FULLERENE AND THE FRICTION PROPERTIES OF ITS THIN FILM

A star-shaped compound of perfluoro-1-octanesulfonated fullerene was synthesized. The measurement of the friction for its spin-coating film by friction force microscopy (FFM) reveals that the films possess lower friction force compared to that of the star-shaped C-60-polystyrene films.

Linear instability of ultra-thin liquid films flowing down cylindrical fibre

The stability characteristics of an ultra-thin layer of a viscous liquid flowing down a cylindrical fibre are investigated by a linear theory. The film with the thickness less than 100 nm is driven by an external force and under the influence of the van der Waals forces. The results show that, when the relative film thickness decreases, the curvature of the fibre depresses the development of the linear perturbations, whereas the van der Waals forces promote the instabilities. This competition results in a non-monotonous dependence of the growth rate on the relative film thickness. The critical curves are also obtained to describe the transition from the absolute instability to the convective instability, indicating that the van der Waals forces can enlarge the absolutely unstable region. Furthermore, the surface tension can cause the development of the absolute instability, whereas the external force has an opposite effect.

Molecular Dynamics of Ultra-thin Lubricating Films under Confined Shear

The molecular dynamics simulation of ultra-thin films under confined shear was performed to investigate the relation between dynamic properties of ultra-thin films and their microstructure. The solid walls were modelled using an Au crystal and the fluid molecules were modeled using decane. The simulation results indicate that the microstructure of ultra-thin films is a kind of solid-like layering structure. The density and velocity profiles of the fluid molecules are symmetric. The slip and shear thinning behavior was founded and interpreted.A mathematic model was set up according to the results of the simulation and experiments.

Molecular dynamics of dewetting of ultra-thin water films on solid substrate

Molecular dynamics simulation is applied to study the instability and rupture process of ultra-thin water films on a solid substrate. Results show the small disturbance of the film will develop linearly due to the spinodal instability, whereas the interaction between solid and liquid has less influences on the initial growth. Then the rupture occurs and the rim recedes with a dynamic contact angle. The radius of the rim. varies with time as the square root of t, which is consistent with the macroscopic theory available. Stronger interaction between solid and liquid will postpone rupture time decline the dynamic contact angle and raise the density of water near the interface between solid and liquid.

Study on electrostatic discharge(ESD)characteristics of ultra-thin dielectric film

Electrostatic discharge(ESD)event usually destroys the electrical properties of dielectric films,resulting in product failure.In this work,the breakdown characteristic of machine mode(MM)ESD on three different nano size films of head gimble assemble are obtained experimentally.The breakdown voltage and thickness parameters show a positive proportional relationship,but they are generally very low and have large discrete characteristics(~30%).The maximum and minimum breakdown voltages of the tested samples are 1.08 V and 0.46 V,which are far lower than the requirement of the current standard(25 V).In addition,the judgment criterion of product damage is given,and the relationship between discharge voltage polarity,initial resistance and breakdown voltage is studied.Finally,the theoretical analysis of the breakdown characteristic law has been given.

Properties of W/DLC/W-S-C composite films fabricated by magnetron sputtering

A kind of W/DLC/W-S-C composite film was fabricated by magnetron sputtering method.Effects of WSx content on the structure and the adhesion of the composite films were investigated.In addition,tribological behavior of the composite films was studied in the conditions of the ambient air and N2 gas atmosphere by ball-on-disk tester.The results indicate that the composite films show dense and amorphous microstructure.The WCx and WSx compounds are found in amorphous diamond like carbon matrix in the top layers of W-S-C.A proper WSx content is beneficial for improving the adhesion of the composite films.In air atmosphere,the composite films with high C content have better wear resistance and the friction coefficients range from 0.15 to 0.25.In N2 condition,high WSx content is benefit for the wear resistance and the friction coefficients of the composite films range from 0.03 to 0.1.

Application of ultra-smooth composite diamond film coated WC-Co drawing dies under water-lubricating conditions

A specific revised HFCVD apparatus and a novel process combining HFCVD and polishing technique were presented to deposit the micro-and nano-crystalline multilayered ultra-smooth diamond（USCD） film on the interior-hole surface of WC-Co drawing dies with aperture ranging from d1.0 mm to 60 mm.Characterization results indicate that the surface roughness values（Ra） in the entry zone,drawing zone and bearing zone of as-fabricated USCD coated drawing die were measured as low as 25.7,23.3 and 25.5 nm,respectively.Furthermore,the friction properties of USCD films were examined in both dry sliding and water-lubricating conditions,and the results show that the USCD film presents much superior friction properties.Its friction coefficients against ball-bearing steel,copper and silicon nitride balls（d4 mm）,is always lower than that of microcrystalline diamond（MCD） or WC-Co sample,regardless of the lubricating condition.Meanwhile,it still presents competitive wear resistance with the MCD films.Finally,the working lifetime and performance of as-fabricated USCD coated drawing dies were examined under producing low-carbon steel pipes in dry-sliding and water-lubricating conditions.Under the water-lubricating drawing condition,its production significantly increases by about 20 times compared with the conventional WC-Co drawing dies.

Effects of Friction Heat on the Tribological Properties of the Woven Self-lubricating Liner

In the dry-sliding process of the woven self-lubricating liner which is used in the self-lubricating spherical plain bearing, the friction heat plays an important role in the tribological performances of the liner. It has important value to study on the relationship between tribological performances of the liner and the friction heat. Unforttmately, up to now, published work on this relationship is quite scarce. Therefore, the effect of friction heat on the tribological performances of the liner was investigated in the present work. The tribological behaviors of the liner were evaluated by using the high temperature end surface wear tester. Scanning electron microscopy （SEM） was utilized to examine the morphologies of worn surfaces of the liner and study the failure modes. Differential scanning calorimetry （DSC） measurement and X-ray diffraction （XRD） analysis were performed to study the behaviors of the wear debris. The temperature rise on the worn surface was calculated according to classical models. SEM observation shows that the dominating wear mechanism for the liner is mainly affected by friction shear force, contact pressure and friction heat. Higher fusion heat for the wear debris than that for the pure polytetrafluroethylene （PTFE） indicates that the PTFE is the main portion of the wear debris, and, the PTFE in the wear debris shows a higher crystallisation degree owing to the effects of friction shear force and the friction heat. Combining the calculated temperature rise results with the wear rate of the liner, it can be concluded that the effects of temperature rise o n the tribological performances of the liner become more obvious when the temperature rise exceeds the glass transition temperature （Tg） of the PTFE. The wear resistance of the liner deteriorates dramatically when the temperature rise approaches to the melting point （Ton） of the PTFE. The tribological performances of the liner can be improved when the temperature rise exceeds Tg but is far lower than Ton- The present study on the relationship between the temperature rise and the tribological performances of the liner may provide the basis for further understanding of the wear mechanisms of the liner as well as the relationship between the formation of the PTFE transfer film and the friction heat during the dry-sliding of the Finer.

FABRICATION AND AFM/FFM STUDIES OF C_(60)-CONTAINING POLYELECTROLYTE SELF-ASSEMBLED FILMS

An initial investigation on the roughness and frictional properties of the self-assembled thin films from polyelectrolytes is presented. Star-shaped C-60-Poly(styrene-maleic anhydride) was successful prepared. The multilayer thin films have been fabricated on mica with diazoresin as the cationic polyelectrolyte and hydrolyzed star-shaped C-60-poly(styrene-maleic anhydride) as the anionic polyelectrolyte via self-assembly technique. The crosslinking structure of the films is formed from the conversion of ionic bond to covalent bond after UV irradiation. AFM/FFM investigations provide insights into the roughness and frictional properties on a microscale. The roughness depends strongly on the number of film layers in the case of C-60-containing films. The frictional forces of the films exhibited a well behaved non-linear relationship in response to the change of applied load. It supports the prediction of enhanced load-bearing property Of C60-containing thin films.

Tribological Characteristic of Diamond-like Carbon Films Investigated by Lateral Force Microscope

Tribological characteristic of different thick diamond-like carbon (DLC) films was studied. A geometrical method was applied to calibrate the cantilever spring constant and to calculate the normal and lateral forces, respectively. Experimental results show that the lateral force under different applied loads is proportional to the normal force for the DLC films with the thickness of 153.4nm and 64.9nm. However, for the thickness of 4.48nm and 2.78nm DLC films, lateral force is nonlinear to normal force, which is opposed to the Amonton's law.The single asperity regime and the DMT model were put forward to predict the possible nanotribological mechanism between the probe and DLC film.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Heat-treated GeSb_2Te_4 Thin Films

The effect of annealing on microstructure, adhesive and frictional properties of GeSb2Te4 films were experimentally studied. The GeSb2Te4 films were prepared by radio frequency （RF） magnetron sputtering, and annealed at 200℃ and 340℃ under vacuum circumstance, respectively. The adhesion and friction experiments were mainly conducted with a lateral force microscope （LFM） for the GeSb2Te4 thin films before and after annealing. Their morphology and phase structure were analyzed by using atomic force microscopy （AFM） and X-ray Diffraction （XRD） techniques, and the nanoindention was employed to evaluate their hardness values. Moreover, an electric force microscope （EFM） was used to measure the surface potential. It is found that the deposited GeSb2Te4 thin film undergoes an amorphous-to-fcc and fcc-to-hex structure transition; the adhesion has a weaker dependence on the surface roughness, but a certain correlation with the surface potential of GeSb2Te4 thin films. And the friction behavior of GeSb2Te4 thin films follows their adhesion behavior under a lower applied load. However, such a relation is replaced by the mechanical behavior when the load is relatively higher. Moreover, the GeSb2Te4 thin film annealed at 340℃ presents a lubricative property.

Characterization and tribological investigation of self-assembled trimethoxysilyl-functionalized poly(phthalazinone ether ketone)thin films on glass substrates

Trimethoxysilyl-functionalized PPEK（PKGS） films had been designed to serve as wear resistant coatings for silicon surfaces. These surface films were formed by a dip-coating technique applied to self-assembled monolayers（SAMs）.The formation and wetting behavior of PKGS films were characterized by means of contact angle measurement.The friction coefficient of the film prepared is very low（about 0.1）,and the anti-wear behavior is good,with a lack of failure after sliding over 1800 s.

Experimental Study on Wear Performance and Oil Film Characteristics of Surface Textured Cylinder Liner in Marine Diesel Engine

It is of a vital importance to reduce the frictional losses in marine diesel engines. Advanced surface textures have provided an e ective solution to friction performance of rubbing pairs due to the rapid development of surface engineering techniques. However,the mechanisms through which textured patterns and texturing methods prove beneficial remains unclear. To address this issue,the tribological system of the cylinder liner?piston ring(CLPR) is investigated in this work. Two types of surface textures(Micro concave,Micro V?groove) are processed on the cylinder specimen using di erent processing methods. Comparative study on the friction coe cients,worn surface texture features and oil film characteristics are performed. The results demonstrate that the processing method of surface texture a ect the performance of the CLPR pairs under the specific testing conditions. In addition the micro V?groove processed by CNCPM is more favorable for improving the wear performances at the low load,while the micro?con?cave processed by CE is more favorable for improving the wear performances at the high load. These findings are in helping to understand the e ect of surface texture on wear performance of CLPR.

Deposition of carbon nitride films for space application

Carbon nitride thin films were prepared by electron-beam evaporation assisted with nitrogen ion bombardment and TiN/CNx composite films were by unbalanced dc magnetron sputtering, respectively. It was found that the sputtered films were better than the evaporated films in hardness and adhesion. The experiments of atomic oxygen action, cold welding, friction and wearing were emphasized, and the results proved that the sputtered TiN/CNx composite films were suitable for space application.