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1754900 
Journal Article 
Multilayer composite ceramic-metal-DLC coatings for sliding wear applications 
Voevodin, AA; Schneider, JM; Rebholz, C; Matthews, A 
1996 
1 
Tribology International
ISSN: 0301-679X 
29 
7 
559-570 
WOS:A1996UY90000003 
The design of anti-friction coatings able to perform well
in different wear conditions without lubricants requires a combination of adequate hardness and
toughness, good adhesion, a low friction coefficient and a low wear rate. Recently introduced
metal-diamond like carbon (DLC) coatings produced by magnetron sputtering of metals from targets,
which are to a controlled extent covered with carbon from the chamber atmosphere, can be a step
towards the achievement of such a combination. These coatings consist of an amorphous a:CH matrix
with the possible incorporation of metal (Ta, W, Nb, Ti), metal carbide and/or graphite grains.
Previous studies of TIx%-DLC coatings showed their good protective properties against abrasive,
impact and single scratch wear, as well as a requirement for supporting interlayers to
successfully apply such coatings to low-cost steels. In the present work an example of the
selection of metal-ceramic Ti-TiN-TiCN supporting interlayers is given based on studies of their
morphology, structure and mechanical properties. This resulted in the development of Ti-Ti N-
TiCN-[TiC-(Ti-x%-DLC)] multilayer composite coatings. Several coatings were prepared with the
same supporting interlayer and a variation in the preparation of the Ti-x%-DLC layer. Ball-on-
disc experiments were carried out to investigate these coatings in conditions of sliding wear
against steel and cemented tungsten carbide balls. CrN, TiN and TiCN coatings were also deposited
and tested in the same conditions to provide a reference. Low friction coefficients (below 0.2 at
an air humidity of 50% RH) in combination with low normalized wear rates were found for
multilayer coatings with upper TI,,,-DLC and Ti-35%-DLC layers. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier
Science Ltd 
sliding wear; friction; multilayer coating; composites; diamond-like carbon