Probing carbon-based composite coatings toward high vacuum lubrication application

For challenges in minimizing friction and wear of spatial mechanical systems, synergetic lubrication coatings were prepared by spinning liquid lubricants and hybrid greases on the diamond-like carbon (DLC) films, and were evaluated whether they could achieve a long-term safe and reliable operation under high vacuum. Under high vacuum conditions, liquid lubricants significantly reduce the friction and wear of DLC films. Hybrid greases not only show excellent lubrication performance, but also greatly enhance the tribological behavior of DLC films, especially the grease with optimal proportion. Such excellent tribological performance of DLC-based composite coatings at low applied loads depends on the synergy of DLC and fluid film, in reverse the tribo-chemical reaction film under harsh working conditions.