The DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coating is a type of coating that is highly durable and has a high hardness. It is often used as a protective coating for various materials due to its high hardness and chemical resistance. DLC films are deposited using the radio frequency plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (RF PECVD) method, which allows for the deposition of carbon films with a wide range of optical and electrical properties.
The DLC coating is characterized by its high hardness, with a hardness ranging from 1500 to 3000 HV. It exhibits properties similar to that of natural diamond, with a hardness close to that of natural diamond. This high hardness makes it suitable for applications in the automotive and machinery industry, such as in power trains, bearings, cam shafts, and other elements.
The DLC coating can be deposited even at relatively low temperatures of around 300 °C with high adhesive strength using adequate bonding layers. This makes it compatible with different substrates, such as steel and hard metal substrates. Additionally, the DLC coating has a low coefficient of friction (COF), as low as 0.1 against bearing steels, which makes it suitable for applications where reduced friction is desired.
Plasma-Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition (PACVD) is a process that is commonly used to deposit DLC coatings. This process activates chemical reactions through plasma excitation and ionization, allowing for deposition at low temperatures as low as about 200 °C using pulsed-glow or high-frequency discharges. PACVD allows for the generation of DLC layers with a low coefficient of friction and a scalable surface hardness.
In summary, DLC coating is a highly durable and hard coating that is used for various applications in different industries. It is deposited using the RF PECVD method or the PACVD method, which allows for deposition at low temperatures. The DLC coating exhibits high hardness, low coefficient of friction, and good adhesion to different substrates.
