Tribological and electrochemical characteristics of DLC coatings with bias voltage

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings were deposited on a STS 316L substrate by means of R.F plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (R.F PACVD) technique using benzene (C6H6) as a reaction gas. The tribological and electrochemical characteristics of the DLC coatings were investigated by a tribological technique (wear test) and by electrochemical techniques (potentiodynamic polarization test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy). Surface analyses of the DLC coatings were conducted by means of scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. This study provides reliable and quantitative data for an assessment of the effect of bias voltage on tribological and electrochemical characteristics in a simulated body fluid environment (0.89 wt.% NaCl of pH 7.4 at 37 degrees C). From the results of the tribological and electrochemical techniques, wear and corrosion resistance of the DLC coatings were improved owing to the low surface roughness, low porosity and good adhesion strength. Among all DLC coatings in this experiment, the DLC coating with a bias voltage of -800 V showed better wear and corrosion resistance than did other coatings.