Enhancement of graphite surface mechanical properties using carbon film from polymer precursor

A hard carbon film can be converted from poly(phenylcarbyne) polymer precursor by a simple and economic process in the temperature range 800-1200 degrees C at 1 atm pressure of an inert gas. The polymer is easily soluble in organic solvents, which can be coated on a complex shape with large area. Under heat-treatment at high temperature (above 800 degrees C) for 2 h, the polymer film on graphite substrate converted into hard carbon film with a hardness of about 8 cpa, which greatly improved the surface hardness of graphite substrate, with a hardness of about 0.3 GPa. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.