Advances in the analysis and characterization of DLC coatings

A series of new DLC coatings have been produced by magnetron sputtering using standard in-house equipment. Different tests have been carried out for the analysis and characterization of the coatings. By combining ball cratering with pin-on-disc, standard scratch and multiscratch tests, interesting information has been obtained (failure mechanism, wear properties, etc.). In addition, in combination with ball cratering, a novel method has been developed for the assessment of the refractive index of transparent and semi-transparent DLC films. In the pin-on-disc and multiscratch tests, the conductivity of the film was used to follow the wear progression (DLC has a relatively low electrical conductivity), This device can show local failures produced in the coating (indicated by an increase of film conductivity) which normally remains undetected in a frictional record. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.