Structural design of Cr/GLC films for high tribological performance in artificial seawater: Cr/GLC ratio and multilayer structure

doi:10.1016/j.jmst.2017.12.002

Abstract

Abstract:

In this paper, graphite-like carbon (GLC) films with Cr buffer layer were fabricated by DC magnetron sputtering technique with the thickness ratio of Cr to GLC films varying from 1:2 to 1:20. The effect of Cr/GLC modulation ratio on microstructure, mechanical and tribological properties in artificial seawater was mainly investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), nano-indenter and a reciprocating sliding tribo-meter. The propagation of defects plays an important role in the evolution of delamination, which is critical to wear failure of GLC films in artificial seawater. Designing the proper multilayer structure could inhibit the defects propagation and thus protect the basis material. The multilayer Cr/GLC film with optimized ratio of 1:3 demonstrates a low average friction coefficient of 0.08?±?0.006 and wear rate of (2.3?±?0.3)?×?10^-8?mm³/(N?m) in artificial seawater, respectively.

Key words: Cr/GLC films, Multilayer, Modulation ratio, Tribological properties

Lei Li, Peng Guo, Lin-Lin Liu, Xiaowei Li, Peiling Ke, Aiying Wang. Structural design of Cr/GLC films for high tribological performance in artificial seawater: Cr/GLC ratio and multilayer structure[J]. J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2018, 34(8): 1273-1280.

Figures/Tables 15

Table 1 Deposition parameters of the Cr/GLC films.

Films	Modulation ratio R	Deposition time (Cr buffer layer)	Deposition time (GLC films)
Cr/GLC-S1	1: 2	20?min	107?min
Cr/GLC-S2	1: 3	15?min	120?min
Cr/GLC-S3	1: 5	10?min	150?min
Cr/GLC-S4	1: 10	5?min	154?min
Cr/GLC-S5	1: 20	3?min	155?min

Table 2 Deposition parameters of the multilayer Cr/GLC films.

Modulation ratio, R	Deposition time (Cr buffer layer)	Deposition time (GLC films)
1:3	5?min (repeat for 3 times)	40?min (repeat for 3 times)

Fig 1. Schematic diagram of tribological setup.

Table 3 Chemical composition of artificial seawater (g/L).

NaCl	MgCl₂	Na₂SO₄	CaCl₂	KCl	NaHCO₃	KBr	H₃BO₃	SrCl₂	NaF
24.53	5.20	4.09	1.16	0.695	0.201	0.101	0.027	0.025	0.003

Fig. 2. Cross-sectional morphologies of the Cr/GLC films with different modulation ratio: (a) Cr/GLC-S1, (b) Cr/GLC-S2, (c) Cr/GLC-S3, (d) Cr/GLC-S4, (e) Cr/GLC-S5.

Fig. 3. (a) Raman spectra and (b) fitted G peak position, ID/IG of the Cr/GLC films with different modulation ratio.

Fig. 4. Cross-sectional HRTEM (high-resolution transmission electron microscopy) micrographs of Cr/GLC-S1 and the corresponding SAED (selected area electron diffraction) of the carbon layer.

Fig. 5. Mechanical properties of the Cr/GLC films with different modulation ratio.

Fig. 6. (a) Friction coefficient curves of the Cr/GLC films sliding against Si3N4 balls in artificial seawater and (b) The average friction coefficients and wear rates of the Cr/GLC films.

Fig. 7. Wear track of the Cr/GLC film with the modulation ratio of 1:3. (a) surface morphology, (b) 2D profile, (c) EDS analysis.

Fig. 8. Schematic images of wear behavior of the Cr/GLC films in seawater.

Fig. 9. (a) Friction coefficient curves of the multilayer Cr/GLC film sliding against a Si3N4 ball in artificial seawater and (b) The average friction coefficient and wear rate of the film.

Fig. 10. Wear track of the multilayer Cr/GLC film with the modulation ratio of 1:3. (a) surface morphology, (b) EDS analysis.

Fig. 11. 3-dimensional (3D) worn morphology of the ball in seawater friction tests with the film. (a) monolayer Cr/GLC film with the modulation ratio of 1:3, (b) multilayer Cr/GLC film with the modulation ratio of 1:3.

Fig. 12. Raman spectra of the transferred tribo-films on wear scars of Si3N4 balls.

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