Title: AFM/FFM study of micro/nano-tribological properties of Diamond-Like Carbon film

Authors: Zhen Fan, Jianning Ding, Zhiyong Ling, Guoxin Xie

Addresses: Center of Micro/Nano Science and Technology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu Province, PR China. ' Center of Micro/Nano Science and Technology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu Province, PR China. ' Center of Micro/Nano Science and Technology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu Province, PR China. ' Center of Micro/Nano Science and Technology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu Province, PR China

Abstract: Micro-tribological properties of different Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) thin films were studied with the AFM/FFM. The surface topographies of the prepared specimens were observed by AFM, and the adhesive forces were also measured. The results indicate that the friction coefficient of the tested DLC film depends on the combined effect of the adhesion and the sample roughness. The friction force increases over velocity when the scanning velocity is not high, due to the effect of stick-slip behaviour, but their relationship is reversed with the increase of the velocity which is caused by the phase transformation of the DLC films.

Keywords: diamond-like carbon films; DLC film; tribological properties; AFM/FFM; microelectromechanical systems; MEMS; microtribiology; surface topography; friction force; stick-slip behaviour; velocity; phase transformation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2008.018033

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2008 Vol.31 No.2/3/4, pp.365 - 374

Published online: 27 Apr 2008 *

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