Sliding properties of Zr-DLC coatings: the effect of tribolayer formation

Abstract Amorphous carbon-based coatings (DLC) exhibit excellent mechanical and tribological properties such as high hardness, high elastic modulus, low friction and low wear. Reduced friction is often related to the formation of a low-friction tribolayer, which is formed during sliding and transferred to the counterpart. Here, we investigate the sliding of hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated DLC coatings alloyed with zirconium; pure DLC films are used as reference. The coatings were deposited by magnetron sputtering in Ar (non-hydrogenated) and Ar/methane atmosphere (hydrogenated) onto steel substrates and silicon wafers. The total thickness of the coatings was around 1.5 μm including a complex Ti/TiN/TiCN adhesion-improving interlayer with a thickness of 450 nm. All deposited coatings were amorphous, Zr/C ratio was approx. 0.05. The hardness was in the range of 9–13 GPa. Tribological tests were carried out in humid air at room temperature, at 100 °C and in nitrogen environment using pin-on-disk. Intermittent tribological test analysis has been performed to understand running-in behaviour. The worn surfaces and wear debris were analysed by Raman spectroscopy. Coatings alloyed with Zr showed lower friction and wear at room temperature compared to pure DLC. In general, Zr-doped hydrogenated coating outperformed the non-hydrogenated one when tested in an inert nitrogen atmosphere or at elevated temperature (100 °C), exhibiting almost super-low friction (μ = 0.03 in the steady-state regime) due to the formation of a homogenous, thick and stable tribolayer.