Diamond-like carbon films and their superlubricity

Abstract Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films have existed for more than half century and are now used widely in several key industrial sectors. Among all thin-film coatings, they were shown to provide some of the lowest friction and wear coefficients under a wide range of test conditions with or without the use of lubricating oils. In this chapter, recent developments in the synthesis and tribological characterization of such superlubricious DLC films are provided. Special emphasis is placed on fundamental understanding of their surperlubric sliding behaviors with respect to many intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Superlubricity of a wide range of doped or alloyed DLC films is also highlighted.