Tribological behaviour and failure analysis of water-lubricated DLC films with different counterparts

• Main Author: Chua, Andrew En Ji.
• Other Authors: School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/53985
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) is known for its excellent tribological and mechanical properties performed under dry condition. To gain understanding of water-lubricated diamond-like carbon film, it is crucial that the tribological properties such as friction and wear be understood and analysed under loading of different counterparts. Interaction between the counterpart and the water-lubricated DLC film coating can alter the DLC film coating’s coefficient of friction and surface wear characteristics. In this study and project, the objectives are to investigate the tribological properties of water-lubricated DLC film using different counterparts, analysing of the failure mechanisms in DLC films and understand how the mechanical properties of the counterparts can affect the tribological properties and failure in DLC films. DLC film coatings were subjected to a 6mm ball-on-flat reciprocating tribometer using different (Al2O3, Cu, Si3N4, Steel, WC and ZrO2) counterparts under a load of 5N and constant operating environment. The analysis of the failed DLC film coatings were then evaluated by the PLµ Confocal Imaging Profiler, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscope (EDS). This is to aid in the understanding of the tribological properties and analysis of the failure mechanism in the DLC film. The results of the tribological properties of the DLC film under different counterparts and the failure analysis of the DLC film will be discussed.