Tribology is a key technology for the use of modern mechanical-elements in the advanced industry, because atomic-scale wear and friction fluctuations degrade equipment performances. New hard, lubricating coatings such as diamond seem to be useful in reducing the wear and friction fluctuations. This paper discusses some tribological properties of diamond that reduces friction and atomic-scale wear (“achieving micro-tribological zero-wear”). Water boundary lubrication of diamond realizes extremely low friction. Fluorination of diamond decreases the surface energy and micro-friction force. As wear properties, diamond has excellent wear resistance and low damage formation on opposite surface due to low friction properties. Potential application of these new diamond coatings to modern tribo-elements used in the advanced industry such as magnetic head-disk interface, LSI manufacturing systems, and micromachines and others are discussed.
