Origin of Ultralow Friction and Wear in Ultrananocrystalline Diamond

Abstract

The impressively low friction and wear of diamond in humid environments is debated to originate from either the stability of the passivated diamond surface or sliding-induced graphitization/rehybridization of carbon. We find ultralow friction and wear for ultrananocrystalline diamond surfaces even in dry environments, and observe negligible rehybridization except for a modest, submonolayer amount under the most severe conditions (high load, low humidity). This supports the passivation hypothesis, and establishes a new regime of exceptionally low friction and wear for diamond.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 11, 2008
Accession Number
ADA535739

Entities

People

  • A. V. Sumant
  • Andrew R. Konicek
  • David S. Grierson
  • P. U. Gilbert
  • Robert Carpick
  • W. Gregory Sawyer

Organizations

  • University of Pennsylvania

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Applied Mechanics
  • Diamond Films
  • Electron Emission
  • Engineering
  • Environment
  • Films
  • Friction
  • Humidity
  • Light Sources
  • Materials
  • Materials Science
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Spectra
  • Spectroscopy
  • Steady State
  • Water Vapor
  • X Rays

Readers

  • Thin Film Deposition Science.
  • Tribology (the study of the boundary interaction between sliding surfaces, lubrication, wear and friction).