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A. Schneider, J. Brenner, D. Steinmüller-Nethl, M. Roy, F. Franek:
"Tribological properties of lubricated nanocrystalline diamond surfaces for various loads and geometries";
Tribology - Materials, Surfaces & Interfaces, 3 (2009), 175 - 181.

Diamond and diamond-like carbon films are well known for their outstanding properties such as
high hardness, low coefficient of friction, good thermal conductivity, excellent biocompatibility
and electrical insulation. Diamond films with nanocrystalline grains offer added advantages of
higher hardness, improved surface finish (less roughness), very high Sp3 content, etc. In view of
the above, the present investigation is undertaken to explore the possibility of using
nanocrystalline diamond films in advanced tribological applications. In this work, a nanocrystalline
diamond film is deposited using a unique chemical vapour deposition (CVO) technique. The
microstructural features are characterised using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Tribological
behaviour of these films is evaluated by means of a reciprocating model tribometer with various
lubricants. The worn surfaces are examined using three-dimensional confocal microscopy. The
results show that these films have comparable friction coefficient with and without lubricants.
Furthermore, they exhibited negligible wear for the tested range of loads.

Nanocrystaliine diamond, Tribological properties, Lubricants, Coating structures

Project Head Friedrich Franek:
Tribologie