Abstract
The durability and reliability of mechanical systems operating under low-temperature conditions are subject to degradation caused by abrupt changes in the tribological characteristics of contact pairs. In this regard, the friction and wear behaviors of bare and diamond-like carbon (DLC)/Chromium (DLC/Cr bi-layer) coated SKH51 steel at low temperatures were assessed comprehensively. The bi-layer coating was deposited onto the SKH51 substrate using a combination of pulsed DC and radio frequency magnetron sputtering. Tribological tests were conducted using a custom-built reciprocating tribo-tester installed inside a cooling unit with temperature-control capabilities. The nano-structural properties of the coating and governing wear mechanisms were investigated using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), laser confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and ultra-nano indentation. The results revealed a significant increase in the wear rate of SKH51 due to changes in wear mechanism and the degradation of mechanical properties as the temperature decreased. The DLC/Cr bi-layer coating significantly reduced the wear of SKH51, particularly at low temperatures. The formation of a thin layer of frozen water at subzero temperatures played a major role in determining the wear behaviors of the specimens.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | 127018 |
Journal | Surface and Coatings Technology |
Volume | 412 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2021 Apr 25 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (No. 2020R1A2C2004714 ).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Elsevier B.V.
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Chemistry(all)
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Surfaces and Interfaces
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films
- Materials Chemistry