Abstract
Diamond like carbon (DLC) films were deposited on various polymers by magnetron type RF sputtering, and the effects of DLC coating on frictional properties were investigated by a ball on disk type tribometer. DLC coatings on high stiffness and heat resistant polymers such as LCP (liquid crystal polymer), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) and PES (polyether sulfone) reduce the friction in both dry and water lubrication conditions. Especially, DLC films coated on PES and PPS decrease the friction coefficient to one fifth and one third to those of untreated polymers, respectively, in dry conditions. In water lubrication, DLC film coating can decrease the friction coefficient to less than a half of that of untreated polymers. DLC films coated LCP, PPS and PES show the low friction variation in both dry and water lubrication conditions. DLC film coating on PES decreases the wear to an undetectable level in both dry and water lubrication conditions.
