Low friction properties of nano-structured C-Ni films prepared by thermionic vacuum arc method

Nano-structured C-Ni coatings were prepared using the thermionic vacuum arc method and tribological properties were evaluated in order to obtain carbon-metal layers to act as solid lubricants. The C-Ni films prepared by TVA method were characterised as a metallic complex of nano-crystals (5 nm average diameter) surrounded by carbon amorphous structures with a strong graphitisation tendency. The coefficients of friction of the coatings, measured using a CSM ball-on-disc tribometer, were in the range of 0.19-0.27 3-5 times lower than the uncoated substrates.