Role of Si-C Interlayer on the Properties of DLC and Si-DLC Films Deposited on Nitrile Rubber

Title:

Role of Si-C Interlayer on the Properties of DLC and Si-DLC Films Deposited on Nitrile Rubber

Authors:

M. Lubwama, B. Corcoran, K. Sayers, J.B. Kirabira, A. Sebbit, K.A. McDonnell, D. Dowling

Keywords: Adhesion, Magnetron sputtering, Micro-hardness, Raman spectroscopy, Si-C interlayer, Tribology
Issue Date: September 2013
Abstract: Diamond-like Carbon (DLC) and Silicon doped diamond-like carbon (Si-DLC) films were deposited on nitrile rubber substrates by closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering ion plating system. Comparison was made for DLC and Si-DLC films deposited with and without Si-C interlayers. The film properties were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, hydrophobicity studies, micro-hardness tests and adhesion investigations. Tribological performance under dry and wet sliding was also investigated. The fracture cross-section of the films showed a very dense, non-columnar microstructure at bias voltage of -30 V. Values of the ratio of the intensities of the D and G peaks (ID/IG) generally tended to increase in both the DLC and Si-DLC film compared to when the Si-C interlayer was included in the films. The increase in the sp2 content was a result of the Si-C interlayer which also determined the hydrophobicity of these films. The hybridization of carbon in terms of sp2 and sp3 bonding was used to interpret these results. The tribological investigation showed dependence on the tribological condition under investigation and the atomic percentage of Si in the film.
Published in:

Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Advances in Materials and Processing Technologies (AMPT), September 23rd – 25th, 2012, Wollongong Australia.

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