Title: Low friction properties of nano-structured C-Ni films prepared by thermionic vacuum arc method

Authors: C.P. Lungu, A.M. Lungu, P. Chiru, O.G. Pompilian, A. Tudor, R. Brescia

Addresses: Low Temperature Plasma Physics Laboratory, National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, Bucharest, Atomistilor 409, Magurele, Jud.Ilfov, 077125, Romania. ' Low Temperature Plasma Physics Laboratory, National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, Bucharest, Atomistilor 409, Magurele, Jud.Ilfov, 077125, Romania. ' Low Temperature Plasma Physics Laboratory, National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, Bucharest, Atomistilor 409, Magurele, Jud.Ilfov, 077125, Romania. ' Low Temperature Plasma Physics Laboratory, National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, Bucharest, Atomistilor 409, Magurele, Jud.Ilfov, 077125, Romania. ' CESIT Department, ''Politehnica'' University, Splaiul Independentei 313, Bucuresti 060042, Romania. ' IMIP-CNR, Via Amendola 122/D, 70126, Bari, Italy

Abstract: Nano-structured C-Ni coatings were prepared using the thermionic vacuum arc method and tribological properties were evaluated in order to obtain carbon-metal layers to act as solid lubricants. The C-Ni films prepared by TVA method were characterised as a metallic complex of nano-crystals (5 nm average diameter) surrounded by carbon amorphous structures with a strong graphitisation tendency. The coefficients of friction of the coatings, measured using a CSM ball-on-disc tribometer, were in the range of 0.19-0.27 3-5 times lower than the uncoated substrates.

Keywords: thermionic vacuum arc plasma; tribology; low friction; plain bearings; TEM; transmission electron microscopy; nanostructures; carbon-nickel films; carbon-nickel coatings; carbon-metal layers; solid lubricants; friction coefficients; carbon; nickel.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSURFSE.2010.030489

International Journal of Surface Science and Engineering, 2010 Vol.4 No.2, pp.191 - 200

Published online: 18 Dec 2009 *

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