THE INFLUENCE OF SILICON-DOPED DIAMOND-LIKE CARBON COATING ON THE WEAR OF IONIC LIQUID LUBRICATED FRICTION PAIRS

摘要

This article reports the results of the study of an a-C:H:Si coating doped with silicon and produced by chemical deposition (PACVD). The effect of the coating on the tribological behaviour of IL-lubricated friction pairs was evaluated. The properties of the 100Cr6 steel specimens with and without the coating were compared. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis were used for imaging the morphology of the coating surfaces and cross-sections and for identifying the elements in the coating composition. The contact angle of the investigated surfaces was measured with an optical tensiometer. Friction tests were performed on a ball-on-disc tribometer under dry friction and when lubricated with trihexyltetradecylphosphonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) amide ionic liquid. The geometrical structure of the surfaces before and after the tribological tests was measured using an optical profilometer. The ionic liquid used with the silicon-doped diamond-like coating under friction conditions reduced the coefficient of friction and wear. The results obtained from the tests and analysis allow for the conclusion that the use of DLC coatings a-C:H:Si lubricated with trihexyltetradecylphosphonium Bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) amide contributes towards the improvement of tribological properties of sliding surfaces under friction.