Low-friction DLC coatings for tribologically stressed components and tools
Diamond-like carbon layers, amorphous hydrogen-based or hydrogen-free forms of carbon for excellent mechanical, optical, electrical, chemical and tribological properties of coatings.
PROPERTIES
Process temperature <200 ° C
Layer thickness 1-10 µm
Low coefficient of friction
High wear resistance
High hardness
High elasticity
Non-stick properties
ADVANTAGES
Can be deposited on many materials
Reduced friction losses
Corrosion Resistant
Adjustable electrical conductivity
Excellent lubricity
Decrease in adhesion
applications
Metal forming
Decorative applications
Drive elements
Sealing elements
Bearing elements
Piston and cylinder
Razors and trimmers
Mechanical hygiene articles
Cutting tools
Saw blades for composite materials
DELIVERY FORM
Planar and circular sputtering targets
Arc cathodes
Different grain sizes
Low ash content
DLC modifications for every application
Diamond-like carbon coatings (DLC) for coatings with excellent properties for use under extreme conditions
The term "DLC" is commonly used to denote the hydrogen-based form of diamond-like carbon (aC: H), while the term "taC" (tetrahedral amorphous carbon) is used for the hydrogen-free amorphous carbon, which contains high proportions of sp3-hybridized carbon.
Diamond-like carbon coatings (DLC) reduce friction losses and are therefore often used for fuel injection systems, valve trains and pistons. In addition to these motor components, DLC and taC are used in compressors, pumps, bearing shells and rollers and from the textile to the medical industry.
Metal forming, interior design and decorative applications, compressors, centrifugal pumps and motors, automotive injection machines, toiletries such as hair clippers, razors and trimmers are the main uses of DLC and taC coatings.
Alloyed graphite targets
for improved layer properties
In addition to the pure graphite sputter targets / ARC cathodes, special mixtures can also be produced on a small scale according to customer requirements.
Convincing results could be achieved by doping pure graphite with boron, tungsten, silver, gold, tantalum and titanium, for example with bipolar plates for PEM fuel cells.
INNOVATIVE COATINGS
TO MEET THE HIGH MARKET AND CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS
Numerous companies achieve remarkable improvements in the performance of tools and components through the coating materials and auxiliaries optimized by Avaluxe.
Results and experiences from projects:
Due to their extreme hardness, taC and DLC layers allow excellent resistance to abrasion, wear and oxidation in the event of tribological stress.
HiPIMS applications: By using low-friction, hydrogen-free DLC layers on loom combs and air jet nozzles in the textile industry, the service life of the substrates is significantly increased.
For increasing the adhesive properties on sharp woven plates Graduated stresses and alloy proportions were used.
Similar coatings are also used in watch gears and high-performance motors in transport and container trucks.
With suitable doping, a thermal stability of up to ~ 475 ° C for ta-C and 250 ° C for DLC is achieved while maintaining their inherent properties such as chemical inertness, biocompatibility and oxidation resistance.
Binary and ternary carbon-based alloys make coatings possible that offer high wear and abrasion resistance, high smoothness, high hardness with reduced brittleness, anti-reflective properties and corrosion-resistant effects.
The introduction of foreign elements for the production of doped DLC or taC nanocomposites improves the coating properties for specific applications.
An intermediate buffer layer is essentially used for the deposition of carbon layers, since it reduces the interfacial tension and improves the adhesion of the layer to the substrate.
The choice of the buffer layer also contributes to other layer properties, from electrical resistance to biocompatibility and lubrication to corrosion protection.