Tribological Behavior of DLC and WDLC Carbon Based Coatings During Reciprocating Wear Tests

Carbon-based coatings are used in several industrial applications, usually to promote improved wear and friction behaviors. In this work, two carbons based coatings are analyzed: a non-doped amorphous Diamond Like Carbon (DLC), produced by a Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) process, and a Tungsten doped DLC (W-DLC), produced by a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) process. Mechanical properties (hardness and modulus of elasticity) are measured by nanoindentation technique using the Hysitron TI950 triboindenter, while the tribological aspects of the coatings (wear behavior and coefficient of friction) are evaluated by reciprocating motion tests on an Optimol SRV v4 tribometer. The DLC presented higher indentation hardness and modulus of elasticity when compared to the W-DLC. Results also indicate that the DLC shows lower coefficient of friction and higher critical loads to present coating delamination when compared with W-DLC.