• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.8-15
• /
• 2002

Tetrahedral amorphous carbon(ta-C) films were deposited by the filtered vacuum arc(FVA) process. The FVA process has many advantages such as high ionization ratio and the ion energy, which is suitable for dense amorphous carbon film deposition. However, the energy of the carbon ion cannot be readily controlled by manipulating the arc source parameters. In order to control the film properties in wide range, we investigated the dependence of the film properties on the substrate bias voltage. The mechanical properties and the density of the film exhibit the maximum values at about -100 V of the bias voltage. The maximum values of hardness and density were respectively 54$\pm$3 GPa and 3.6$\pm$0.4 g/㎤, which are 3 to 5 times higher than those of the films deposited by RF PACVD or ion beam process. The details of the atomic bond structure were analysed by Raman and NEXAFS spectroscopy. The change in the film properties for various bias voltages could be understood in the view of the $sp^2$ and $sp^3$ bond fraction in the deposited films.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
• /
• v.54 no.2
• /
• pp.53-61
• /
• 2021

The properties of tetrahedral amorphous Carbon (ta-C) film can be determined by multiple parameters and comprehensive effects of those parameters during a deposition process with filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA). In this study, Taguchi method was adopted to design the optimized FCVA deposition process of ta-C for improving deposition efficiency and mechanical properties of the deposited ta-C thin film. The influence and contribution of variables, such as arc current, substrate bias voltage, frequency, and duty cycle, on the properties of ta-C were investigated in terms of deposition efficiency and mechanical properties. It was revealed that the deposition rate was linearly increased following the increasing arc current (around 10 nm/min @ 60 A and 17 nm/min @ 100A). The hardness and I_D/I_G showed a correlation with substrate bias voltage (over 30 GPa @ 50 V and under 30 GPa @ 250 V). The scratch tests were conducted to specify the effect of each parameter on the resistance to plastic deformation of films. The analysis on variances showed that the arc current and substrate bias voltage were the most effective controlling parameters influencing properties of ta-C films. The optimized parameters were extracted for the target applications in various industrial fields.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
• /
• 2009.05a
• /
• pp.111-112
• /
• 2009

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) is a convenient term to indicate the compositions of the various forms of amorphous carbon (a-C), tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C), hydrogenated amorphous carbon and tetrahedral amorphous carbon (a-C:H and ta-C:H). The a-C film with disordered graphitic ordering, such as soot, chars, glassy carbon, and evaporated a-C, is shown in the lower left hand corner. If the fraction of sp3 bonding reaches a high degree, such an a-C is denoted as tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C), in order to distinguish it from sp2 a-C [2]. Two hydrocarbon polymers, that is, polyethylene (CH2)n and polyacetylene (CH)n, define the limits of the triangle in the right hand corner beyond which interconnecting C-C networks do not form, and only strait-chain molecules are formed. The DLC films, i.e. a-C, ta-C, a-C:H and ta-C:H, have some extreme properties similar to diamond, such as hardness, elastic modulus and chemical inertness. These films are great advantages for many applications. One of the most important applications of the carbon-based films is the coating for magnetic hard disk recording. The second successful application is wear protective and antireflective films for IR windows. The third application is wear protection of bearings and sliding friction parts. The fourth is precision gages for the automotive industry. Recently, exciting ongoing study [1] tries to deposit a carbon-based protective film on engine parts (e.g. engine cylinders and pistons) taking into account not only low friction and wear, but also self lubricating properties. Reduction of the oil consumption is expected. Currently, for an additional application field, the carbon-based films are extensively studied as excellent candidates for biocompatible films on biomedical implants. The carbon-based films consist of carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen, which are biologically harmless as well as the main elements of human body. Some in vitro and limited in vivo studies on the biological effects of carbon-based films have been studied [$2{\sim}5$].The carbon-based films have great potentials in many fields. However, a few technological issues for carbon-based film are still needed to be studied to improve the applicability. Aisenberg and Chabot [3] firstly prepared an amorphous carbon film on substrates remained at room temperature using a beam of carbon ions produced using argon plasma. Spencer et al. [4] had subsequently developed this field. Many deposition techniques for DLC films have been developed to increase the fraction of sp3 bonding in the films. The a-C films have been prepared by a variety of deposition methods such as ion plating, DC or RF sputtering, RF or DC plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), electron cyclotron resonance chemical vapor deposition (ECR-CVD), ion implantation, ablation, pulsed laser deposition and cathodic arc deposition, from a variety of carbon target or gaseous sources materials [5]. Sputtering is the most common deposition method for a-C film. Deposited films by these plasma methods, such as plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) [6], are ranged into the interior of the triangle. Application fields of DLC films investigated from papers. Many papers purposed to apply for tribology due to the carbon-based films of low friction and wear resistance. Figure 1 shows the percentage of DLC research interest for application field. The biggest portion is tribology field. It is occupied 57%. Second, biomedical field hold 14%. Nowadays, biomedical field is took notice in many countries and significantly increased the research papers. DLC films actually applied to many industries in 2005 as shown figure 2. The most applied fields are mold and machinery industries. It took over 50%. The automobile industry is more and more increase application parts. In the near future, automobile industry is expected a big market for DLC coating. Figure 1 Research interests of carbon-based filmsFigure 2 Demand ratio of DLC coating for industry in 2005. In this presentation, I will introduce a trend of carbon-based coating research and applications.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 2004.08a
• /
• pp.155-155
• /
• 2004

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
• /
• 2016.11a
• /
• pp.101-101
• /
• 2016

DLC(Diamond Like Carbon)막은 그 물성의 다양함으로 인하여 산업기계, 금형, 공구, 광학 및 수송기기의 파워셀 부품등 많은 산업분야에 활용되고 있다. 일반적으로 DLC막은 증착에 사용되는 카본의 원료에 따라 크게 두 가지로 나눌 수 있는데, 이는 탄화 수소계 가스(CxHy)를 사용하여 증착된 a-C:H(amorphous Hydro-Carbon)과 고체 카본을 사용하는 a-C(amorphous Carbon)이다. 또한 a-C 중 진공 아크 공법으로 제작된 막(ta-C : tetrahedral amorphous-Carbon)은 다이아몬드 성분인 sp3의 분률이 높아, 그 경도는 40 - 85 GPa 이상이며, 무수소화로 500도 이상의 고온에서도 그 물성의 변화가 적어 그 활용도가 높아지고 있다. 하지만 높은 경도와 더불어 막의 잔류응력이 높아 3 um 이상 후막화하는 것은 어렵다. 이는 높은 잔류응력으로 인한 막의 증착시, 막 자체가 파손되거나, 기판과 막사이의 계면 밀착력이 약하여 박리되거나, 또는 높은 밀착력으로 인하여 모재가 파손되는 등 다양한 문제를 발생한다. 본 연구에서는 이 고경도 무수소 DLC막(ta-C)의 후막화하는 방안으로 주요 코팅 변수와 잔류응력과의 관계를 에너지 관점에서 파악하고 이를 활용 잔류응력을 제어하여 할 수 있는 방법을 제시하고자 한다.

• Tribology and Lubricants
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.101-108
• /
• 2022

The structure and properties of tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) coatings depend on the main process parameters and bending angles of the magnetic field filter used in the filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA). During the process, it is possible to effectively control the plasma flux of carbon ions incident on the substrate by controlling the arc discharge current, thereby influencing the mechanical properties of the coating film. Furthermore, we can control the size and amount of large particles mixed during carbon film formation while conforming with the bending angle of the mechanical filter mounted on the FCVA; therefore, it also influences the mechanical properties. In this study, we consider tribological characteristics for filtered bending angles of 45° and 90° as a function of arc discharge currents of 60 and 100 A, respectively. Experiment results indicate that the frictional behavior of the ta-C coating film is independent of the bending angle of the filter. However, its sliding wear behavior significantly changes according to the bending angle of the FCVA filter, unlike the effect of the discharge current. Further, upon changing the bending angle from 45° to 90°, abrasive wear gets accelerated, thereby changing the size and mixing amount of macro particles inside the coating film.

• Tribology and Lubricants
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.362-368
• /
• 2019

In this study, mechanical and tribological properties were investigated by varying the process temperature (50, 100, 125 and 150℃) to reduce internal stress. The internal stress reduction by thermal dissociation ta-C coating film with increasing temperature is confirmed through the curvature radius of the ta-C coating according to the temperature of the SUS plate. As the coating temperature increased, the mechanical properties (hardness, modulus, toughness) deteriorated, which is in agreement with the Raman analysis results. As the temperature increased, the sp² phase ratio increased owing to the dissociation of the sp³ phase. The friction and wear properties are related to the process temperature during ta-C coating. Low friction and wear properties are observed in high hardness samples manufactured at 50℃, and wear resistance properties decreased with increasing temperature. The contact area is expected to increase owing to the decrease of hardness(72 GPa to 39 GPa) and fracture toughness with increasing temperature which accelerated wear because of the debris generated. It was confirmed that at process temperature of over than 100℃, the bond structure of the carbon film changed, and the effect of excellent internal stress was reduced. However, the wear resistance simultaneously decreased owing to the reduction in fracture toughness. Therefore, in order to increase industrial utilization, optimum temperature conditions that reduce internal stress and retain mechanical properties.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
• /
• 2016.11a
• /
• pp.156-156
• /
• 2016

The effect of nitrogen doping on the mechanical and tribological performance of single-layer tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C:N) coatings of up to $1{\mu}m$ in thickness was investigated using a custom-made filtered cathode vacuum arc (FCVA). The results obtained revealed that the hardness of the coatings decreased from $65{\pm}4.8GPa$ to $25{\pm}2.4GPa$ with increasing nitrogen gas ratio, which indicates that nitrogen doping occurs through substitution in the $sp^2$ phase. Subsequent AES analysis showed that the N/C ratio in the ta-C:N thick-film coatings ranged from 0.03 to 0.29 and increased with the nitrogen flow rate. Variation in the G-peak positions and I(D)/I(G) ratio exhibit a similar trend. It is concluded from these results that micron-thick ta-C:N films have the potential to be used in a wide range of functional coating applications in electronics. To achieve highly conductive and wear-resistant coatings in system components, the friction and wear performances of the coating were investigated. The tribological behavior of the coating was investigated by sliding an SUJ2 ball over the coating in a ball-on-disk tribo-meter. The experimental results revealed that doping using a high nitrogen gas flow rate improved the wear resistance of the coating, while a low flow rate of 0-10 sccm increased the coefficient of friction (CoF) and wear rate through the generation of hematite (${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$) phases by tribo-chemical reaction. However, the CoF and wear rate dramatically decreased when the nitrogen flow rate was increased to 30-40 sccm, due to the nitrogen inducing phase transformation that produced a graphite-like structure in the coating. The widths of the wear track and wear scar were also observed to decrease with increasing nitrogen flow rate. Moreover, the G-peaks of the wear scar around the SUJ2 ball on the worn surface increased with increasing nitrogen doping.

• Tribology and Lubricants
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.241-246
• /
• 2018

This research addresses the improvement of tribo-systems, specifically regarding the reduction of friction and wear through tribo-coupling between tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) with different types of counterpart materials, namely bearing steel (SUJ2), tungsten carbide (WC), stainless steel (SUS304), and alumina ($Al_2O_3$). A second variable in this project is the utilization of different values of duct bias voltage in the deposition of the ta-C coating - 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 V. The results of this research are expected to determine the optimum duct bias and best counter materials associated with ta-C to produce the lowest friction and wear. Results obtained reveal that the tribo-couple between the ta-C coating and SUJ2 balls produces the lowest friction coefficient and wear rate. In terms of duct bias changes, deposition using 5 V produces the most optimum tribological behavior with lowest friction and wear on the tribo-system. In contrast, the tribo-couple between ta-C with a WC ball causes penetration through the coating surface layer and hence high surface delamination. This study demonstrates that the most effective ta-C coating duct bias is 5 V associated with SUJ2 counter material to produce the lowest friction and wear.

• Tribology and Lubricants
• /
• v.38 no.6
• /
• pp.255-260
• /
• 2022

This research presents tetrahedral amorphous (ta-C) coating on the artificial tooth for improving the durability and functionality (esthtics, foreign body of tooth) by filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA). A differentiated coating method is required for a ta-C coating on polymer owing to the low melting point of the polymer, inter-facial adhesion, low friction, and non-conductivity. Herein, ta-C coating is applied below 50℃, and the potential difference of the carbon plasma drawn to the substrate was controlled by applying a positive duct bias voltage without using a substrate bias voltage. Consequently, the ta-C coating with a thickness of 70nm using the duct bias condition of 20V with the highest plasma intensity satisfies the esthetics of the artificial tooth and had a 5B level of inter-facial adhesion. In addition, the composite hardness of ta-C/polymer is 380 MPa, and correlations with esthetics, sp³ bonding, and mechanical properties. The friction coefficient (CoF) of the ta-C coating in a water-lubricated environment is 0.07, showing a six-fold reduction in CoF compared with that of a polymer.