Abstract
W-S-C films were deposited by non-reactive sputtering from a carbon target incrusted with WS2 pellets in the eroded zone. This process allows depositing coatings with a wide range of compositions, with a precise control of their carbon content. Before the deposition, a Ti interlayer was interposed between the film and the substrate to improve the final adhesion. The carbon content in W-S-C system was varied from 29 at.% to 70 at.%, which led to an hardness enhancement from 4 GPa up to 10 GPa where the maximum hardness was reached in films with a carbon content between 40 at.% and 50 at.%. The tribological behaviour of the coatings was evaluated by pin-on-disk testing, in environments with different humidity levels. Generally, the tribological performance of W-S-C coatings in environments with moderate to high humidity is better for coatings with high carbon content. Friction coefficients, as 0.05 or lower could be reached at low humidity ranges (<7%) to all compositions. However, for higher humidity values, friction coefficient increased up to 0.30 in the W-S-C film with low carbon content whereas it was kept approximately constant for the others compositions.
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This work was supported by the Czech Science Foundation through the project 106/07/P014.
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Evaristo, M., Polcar, T. & Cavaleiro, A. Tribological behaviour of C-alloyed transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD) coatings in different environments. Int J Mech Mater Des 4, 137–143 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10999-007-9034-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10999-007-9034-2