Abstract
Running-in is a process that achieves smooth movement through low-speed operation of machine parts before the actual running of the machines. It plays an important role in improving the frictional characteristics, wear resistance, and seizure resistance of sliding surfaces. However, as running-in is conducted under mixed lubrication conditions, there exists a risk of incurring surface damage, such as wear and seizure under the wrong conditions. A surface design guide is needed to promptly complete the running-in process. However, such quantitative design guide has not been successfully proposed. This is because running-in occurs early in the operation stage, influenced by the load-applying process in the running-in period. However, not many researches have discussed this phenomenon. Especially, there are very few reports on the running-in process regarding DLC films.
In this study, we carried out friction tests by changing the loading rate and measured the number and size of the wear particles generated during the running-in process by using an online particle counter developed in our laboratory. In addition, we analyzed the running-in behavior of the DLC film through shape analysis by observing the wear particles with a scanning electron microscope (SEM).
