Temperature-structure-induced metastable structural transformation mechanism of the amorphous carbon film during friction

Temperature has a significant impact on the tribological behavior of amorphous carbon films. However, the fundamental question of "the effect of temperature-structure-induced on metastable structural transformation mechanism of amorphous carbon films " is not well understood. This study is conducted to get an insight into the temperature-structure-induced structural transformation of amorphous carbon films. The relevant studies show that the effect of high temperature within a certain threshold on the "sp3-C to sp2-C" and the structural ordering degree changes from inhibition to promotion with amorphous carbon films’ density increases, and the structural transformation of high-density amorphous carbon films responds more significantly to temperature changes. The structural ordering degree of amorphous carbon films is promoted when the temperature exceeds a certain threshold. •The effect of temperature on the structural transformation of amorphous carbon films is investigated.•The structural transformation of amorphous carbon films of different structures by temperature are explained.•The effect of temperature on the metastable structural transformation of amorphous carbon films is elucidated.•It clarified the temperature-structure-induced structural transformation of amorphous carbon films.