The Tribological Performances Of High Performance Graphite-like Carbon Films In Seawater Environments

Mechanical seals are widely used in hydraulic drive, pump value and agitated reactors. However, the frictional materials are hardly to satisfy the tough and harsh seal environments such as seawater. It is necessary to exploit new materials and technologies to meet the requirments. In this paper, high performance of Cr/GLC carbon based film on the surface of stainless steel and single sillicon was prepared by magnetron sputtering. The tribological behaviors of the Cr/GLC films sliding against metallic counterparts such as 316L、440C、Al、Ti、H62、GCr15) and ceramic counterparts such as Si3N4、SiC、WC、Al2O3、ZrO2 in artificial seawater environment were studied. In addition, textured Cr/GLC films were prepared on sillicon substrate by the combination of plasma etching technology and magnetron sputtering technology. Tribological performances of textured Cr/GLC in dry, water and artificial seawater were studied. To provide experimental evidence and theoretical guidance for choosing counterparts and improving tribological performances of Cr/GLC films.The tribological performances of Cr/GLC films sliding against metallic counterparts and ceramic counterparts were systematically studied. Results showed that under the same condition, friciton coefficients of Cr/GLC-metallic tribo-pairs were between 0.083-0.179. The wear mechanism of Cr/GLC-Ti and Cr/GLC-H62 tribo-pairs were attributed to local fracture wear, whereas the wear mechanism of Cr/GLC-Al tribo-pair was attributed to adhesive wear. Friciton coefficients of Cr/GLC-ceramic tribo-pairs were between 0.06-0.11. From the wear track of Cr/GLC films we can know that there have no obvious adhesive abrasion and local fracture wear. Tribological performances of Cr/GLC films sliding against ceramic showed more optimistic than metallic counterparts.Four textured surfaces in different diameter(5.5 ?m, 1.5 ?m, 600 nm, none) were prepared on single sillicons by plasma etching technology, as substrate. Tribological performances of textured Cr/GLC films prepared on the sillicon substrates by magnetron sputtering in dry, water and artificial seawater were studied. In threeenvironments friction coefficents of textured Cr/GLC film decreased with the size of micro-holes from big to small, then increased. The Cr/GLC films with appropriate holes diameter(1.5 ? m) was effective in enhancing the tribological performances. Wear loss of Cr/GLC films in water and artificial seawater decreased with the size of micro-holes from big to small, then increased. The Cr/GLC films with appropriate holes diameter(600 nm) exhibited low wear.