Development of the DLC Film for Front Fork's Inner Tube

Because of its low coefficient of friction, DLC(Diamond Like Carbon)-coating is recognized as one of the effective ways to reduce machine friction. On the other hand, sliding smoothness of motorcycle's front fork is requested to progress, therefore reducing friction of front fork is significant.

From our considering whether DLC coated inner tube would be a good idea to reduce friction of front fork, we decide to build the mass-production process for the DLC coated inner tube. But there are two issues about the function of the DLC film, those are “how to improve resistance against peeling” and “how to get well-flattened DLC surface”.