The effects of medium and friction pair on the tribological behavior of Mo-doped DLC films

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films are widely used to improve the tribological properties of key components in internal combustion engines. However, their performance can be significantly affected by the service environment, which may impact engine reliability. This study investigates the impact of various media and friction pairs on the tribological behavior of molybdenum-doped DLC (Mo-DLC) films. The results demonstrate that Mo-DLC films exhibit excellent tribological properties across different media, showcasing their adaptability to various conditions. The lubrication mechanism varies with media viscosity: in methanol, Mo-DLC films operate under boundary lubrication conditions, leading to a relatively high wear rate of approximately 5.2 × 10−8 mm3/N·m. Conversely, in diesel and polyalphaolefin-based oil (PAO), where fluid dynamic lubrication occurs, wear rates are significantly lower, at 4.4 × 10−8 mm3/N·m and 3.1 × 10−8 mm3/N·m, respectively. In addition, the friction pair significantly influences the tribological performance of the Mo-DLC film. When paired with D-GCr15 in methanol, Mo-DLC films exhibit a low friction coefficient of 0.09 and a wear rate of 1.6 × 10−8 mm3/N·m, respectively. However, when coupled with N-GCr15, the increased surface roughness extends the running-in period and raises the friction coefficient in methanol. These findings offer valuable theoretical insights and practical guidance for optimizing DLC films in internal combustion engines.