Open AccessLubrication improvement and friction reduction of DLC‐coated sliding surfaces by in‐process structuring and post polishing
Author(s) -
Andersson P.,
Koskinen J.,
Varjus S.,
Kolehmainen J.,
Tervakangas S.,
Buss W.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
tribotest
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1557-685X
pISSN - 1354-4063
DOI - 10.1002/tt.55
Subject(s) - lubrication , materials science , reciprocating motion , tribometer , abrasive , polishing , asperity (geotechnical engineering) , coating , surface roughness , tribology , surface finish , composite material , metallurgy , mechanical engineering , engineering , gas compressor
The paper describes an experimental investigation on the influence of the surface roughness of diamond‐like hard carbon (DLC) coatings on the friction and wear in sliding contact against steel under conditions of starving lubrication. Experimental studies employed a reciprocating ball‐on‐flat tribometer in two different modes of operation. The study showed a micro‐lubrication effect in terms of lubrication assistance achieved by microscopic cavities in the topography of a DLC coating and good sliding behaviour even in the case of starving oil lubrication. Post‐process polishing of the coated surfaces was adopted for eliminating unnecessary friction losses due to asperity interactions and micro‐abrasive wear. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.