Comparison of tribological properties of carbon and carbon nitride protective coatings over magnetic media

According to theoretical predictions made in 1989-1990, carbon nitride can be even harder than diamond. Carbon nitride thin films may become a good competitor for diamondlike carbon, which possesses a high hardness, high wear resistance, and low friction coefficient. At present, there are only a few studies on the tribology of CNx coatings. Tribological properties of the deposited by means of ion beam assisted deposition carbon nitride coating (90%C-10%N) were compared with those of commercial carbon coatings at macro- and microscales. CNx coating on a magnetic rigid disk showed both lower macro- and microfriction compared with that of a carbon coating in unlubricated sliding against a silicon nitride pin. The life of the CNx coating was about three to ten times longer than the life of carbon coatings. (C) 1996 American Vacuum Society.