Effect of DLC Film on Tribological Properties of Carbon/Carbon Composites

Abstract

The effect of DLC film on tribological properties of C/C composites was investigated with a ball-on-disk tribometer in dry air, compared with the result of specimen without DLC film. The DLC film was prepared on the surface of C/C composites substrate by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition method (PECVD). After PECVD, structural characterization of the film, adhesion strength of film to substrate, surface morphology and linear wear were studied by Raman spectroscopy, Rockwell-C apparatus, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Optical Microscopy (OM), respectively. The result showed that the film deposited on the surface of C/C substrate exhibited typical Raman spectroscopy fingerprints of DLC films and a good adhesion to the substrate surface was found. A stable friction coefficient was observed during the friction tests. With the DLC film, the friction and wear properties of C/C composites were improved significantly. The average friction coefficient of the C/C specimen with DLC film (0.08637) was reduced by 65.56% than that of the one without DLC film (0.2508) and the linear wear was decreased by 84.7% ( from 148.47μm to 22.71 μm) as well.