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Characterization of DLC-Coated and Uncoated Surfaces by New Directional Blanket Curvature Covering (DBCC) Method

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Abstract

Roughness and curvature of diamond-like carbon (DLC) surface coatings change with both scale and direction of a measurement. However, the changes are not detected by currently used standard parameters which are designed to work with isotropic surfaces at a single scale, thus providing only a limited information about multiscale and directional roughness and curvature. The problem of detailed roughness characterization of DLC-coated surfaces has been addressed in our previous work [Wolski et al. Multiscale characterization of 3D surface topography of DLC-coated and uncoated surfaces by directional blanket covering method. Wear 2017:388–389:47–56]. However, surface curvature description still remains an unresolved issue. To overcome this shortcoming, a directional blanket curvature covering (DBCC) method was developed. The method calculates curvature, peak and valley dimensions which quantify multiscale and directional curvature complexity of surface topography, peaks and valleys, respectively. Higher values of the dimensions represent higher complexity. In the current study, the DBCC method was used to analyse DLC-coated and uncoated bearing steel samples with increasing roughness and curvature. Its ability to discriminate between these two groups of surfaces was evaluated. Results showed that the method could detect minute changes in surface curvature at individual scales and directions. The method would be of interest to those who design wear-resistant systems and surfaces.

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Abbreviations

a-C :

Amorphous carbon

CD, PD, VD:

Curvature, peak and valley dimensions

CS, PS, VS:

Curvature, peak and valley signatures

DBC:

Directional blanket covering

DBCC:

Directional blanket curvature covering

DLC:

Diamond-like carbon

DLC-S, DLC-A, DLC-R:

Smooth, average and rough DLC-coated surfaces

FD:

Fractal dimension

FS:

Fractal signature

ISO:

International Organization for Standardization

NaN:

Not-a-number

SD:

Standard deviation

SE:

Structuring element

STE-S, STE-A, STE-R:

Smooth, average and rough uncoated surfaces

a :

Coefficient of a quadratic polynomial

ε :

Scale

κ :

Curvature

N :

Number of pixels

P :

Statistical significance

Sa (μm):

Arithmetic mean height

Sds (pks/mm2):

Density of peaks

Ssc (1/mm):

Mean curvature of summits

θ (degree):

Direction

1, 2, 3:

Indices

0, 45, 90:

Horizontal, diagonal and vertical directions

S, M, L :

Small, medium and large scales

Sta:

Texture minor axis

Str:

Texture aspect ratio

x, y :

Horizontal and vertical coordinates

w, h :

Width and height

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Curtin University and the School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering for their support during preparation of the manuscript. The study was conducted as part of the Implementing Agreement on Advanced Material for Transportation Applications, Annex IV Integrated Engineered Surface Technology. The Implementing agreement functions within a framework created by the International Energy Agency (IEA). The views, findings and publications of the AMT IA do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the IEA or of all of its individual member countries.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tribology Laboratory, School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia

    Marcin Wolski, Pawel Podsiadlo & Gwidon W. Stachowiak

  2. VTT Technical Research Centre, Espoo, Finland

    Kenneth Holmberg, Anssi Laukkanen & Helena Ronkainen

Authors
  1. Marcin Wolski
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  2. Pawel Podsiadlo
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  3. Gwidon W. Stachowiak
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  4. Kenneth Holmberg
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  5. Anssi Laukkanen
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  6. Helena Ronkainen
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Correspondence to Marcin Wolski.

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Wolski, M., Podsiadlo, P., Stachowiak, G.W. et al. Characterization of DLC-Coated and Uncoated Surfaces by New Directional Blanket Curvature Covering (DBCC) Method. Tribol Lett 66, 153 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11249-018-1107-x

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