TRIBOLOGY OF AMORPHOUS DIAMOND FILMS GROWN OR MODIFIED BY ION-IMPLANTATION

The friction and wear resistances of amorphous diamond films grown by quenching of an intense laser-plasma or by ion implantation were correlated to their thickness and structure. Their adherence to a Ti0.85Al0.11V0.04 alloy is assisted by an interfacial layer of TiC precipitate This adherence can be improved by a further irradiation promoting the growth of the Ti-TiC composite layer by radiation-enhanced diffusion in the metallic matrix. Nitrogen implantation in the substrate has an additional catalytic effect on the carbide nucleation. However, damaging the carbon film itself or doping it with nitrogen do not improve the mechanical properties and are rather detrimental for electronic properties.