Modification of tribological performance of DLC films by means of some elements addition

The elements added diamond-like carbon films (hydrogen, fluorine, and sulfur) fabricated from C 2H 2:H 2, C 2H 2:CF 4 and C 2H 2:SF 6 mixtures were used to compare and study the effects of element contents on the deposition and tribological properties of films prepared by plasma-based ion implantation (PBII). The structure of the films was analyzed by Raman spectroscopy. Hardness and elastic modulus of films were measured by nano-indentation hardness testing. Contact angle and surface energy of films were measured by contact angle measurement. Tribological characteristics of films were performed using a ball-on-disk friction tester. The results indicate that with the increasing element contents, the hardness and elastic modulus, and surface energy of all films decreases, while the surface angle tends to increase. Additionally, H-DLC films at C:H flow rate ratio of 1:4 shows a friction coefficient of 0.08 under ambient air, which are considerable improvement in the tribological properties. This is due to the formation of a transfer films on the interface and high hydrogen contents. For F-DLC films and S-DLC films, does not show a significant decrease in the friction coefficient with the fluorine and sulfur contents under ambient air. The decrease in the friction coefficient is greater under high vacuum than under ambient air.