The friction of diamond-like carbon coatings in a water environment

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings are known to provide beneficial mechanical and tribological properties in harsh environments. Their combination of high wear resistance and low friction has led to their extensive use in any number of industries. The tribological performance of a DLC coating is varied however, and the frictional response is known to be strongly dependent on the surrounding environment, as well as the material composition and bonding structure of the DLC coating. This paper presents an up-to-date review on the friction of DLC coatings in a water environment, with a special focus on transfer layer formation and tribochemistry.