Influence of layer thickness on sliding wear of multifunctional tribological coatings
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to analyse the influence of the thickness of different layers [diamond-like-carbon (DLC) and chromium nitride (CrN)] on the sliding wear behaviour of a multifunctional coating on AISI 1020 substrates. When small and cheap components need to be manufactured in large scale, they are often produced using soft metals, such as unhardened low carbon steels and pure iron.
Design/methodology/approach
Two families, one with thicker films and the other with thinner films, were deposited onto a soft carbon steel substrate by plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD). Reciprocating linear tests with incremental loading assessed the durability of the coatings. In addition, friction coefficient and wear rates of both specimens and counterbodies were measured at a constant load.
Findings
Thinner layers presented lower sliding wear rates (four-five times lower) for both specimens and counterbodies, less spalling and protective tribolayers on the wear tracks.
Originality/value
Although multilayered CrN–DLC coatings on relatively hard substrates such as HSS and cemented carbide tools are already a proven technology, much less is known about its deposition on a much softer substrate such as low carbon steel. In previous works, we have analysed the influence of layer thickness on hardness and scratch resistance of the same coatings. This paper presents results for their performance under wear sliding conditions using an original approach (three-dimensional triboscopic maps) for two distinct configurations (increasing load and constant load).
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are very grateful to Professor W.M. Silva Jr. for help with the scratch tests and to Fapemig, Capes/Proex and CNPq (Brazil) for financial support.
Citation
Lara, L.C., Costa, H. and de Mello, J.D.B. (2015), "Influence of layer thickness on sliding wear of multifunctional tribological coatings", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 67 No. 5, pp. 460-467. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-01-2015-0010
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited