Understanding the hydrogen and oxygen gas pressure dependence of the tribological properties of silicon oxide–doped hydrogenated amorphous carbon coatings

Silicon oxide-doped hydrogenated amorphous carbons (a–C:H:Si:O) are amorphous thin films used as solid lubricants in a range of commercial applications, thanks to its increased stability in extreme environments, relative to amorphous hydrogenated carbons (a–C:H). This work aims to develop a fundamental understanding of the environmental impact on the tribology of a–C:H:Si:O. Upon sliding an a–C:H:Si:O film against a steel counterbody, two friction regimes develop: high friction in high vacuum and low gas pressure (oxygen pressure