Evolution via friction of properties of DLC nanofilms on steel

Abstract The results of the diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings surface investigation with thickness of 100, 300 and 500 nm, applied on hardened steel via laser ablation methods and pulse arc discharge are presented. Topography, roughness, adhesion forces and specific surface energy of coatings before and after tribotests were studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The changes in the elastic modulus E and microhardness H of the surface after dry sliding friction have been established by nanoindentation method (NI).