Solid Lubrication of Laser Grown Fluorinated Diamond Thin Films
Abstract
A laser chemical vapor deposition process has been developed to grow fluorinated diamond thin films on bearing material substrates including SiC and 440C stainless steel. The type of laser, carbon feedstock, laser-precursor gas interactions, and deposition conditions have been established. Analysis of laser grown films revealed that the films deposited on SiC consisted of a mixture of diamond and graphite while the films on 440C steel were composed of diamond, diamond-like carbon and graphite. The presence of significant amount of C-F compounds both in the surface and subsurface layers was also identified. Tribological tests (ball-on-disc and pin-on-disc) of laser grown films under ambient environment indicated a friction coefficient in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 depending on the wear couple, sliding speed and load confirming the effectiveness of these films as solid lubricants for moving mechanical assemblies in space structures. Fluorination of carbon films has attributes: passivation of the surface of diamond/graphite films from absorption of water or oxygen, reduction of surface energy needed for shearing of the film during solid lubrication, and protection from corrosive environments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 21, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA249485
Entities
People
- Arul Molian
- Bruce Janvrin
- Deli Gong
- Madhav Rao
- P. Molian