SBIR PHASE I: Modifying Hard Carbon Coatings for Improved Tribological Properties

这个小企业创新研究一期项目是通过与自由基反应对硬碳涂层进行化学改性，以提高其摩擦学性能。这些改性也可以导致实现耐磨固体润滑剂涂层。将同时审查两种互补的方法：氟化和氮化。硬碳表面的氟化可以减少其摩擦，而硬碳与活性氮物质反应可以生成具有优异热稳定性和硬度的含氮碳膜。这个第一阶段的项目将研究通过对表面区域进行化学改性来改善硬碳涂层摩擦学性能（摩擦、收缩和磨损）的途径。目的是利用新来源确定氟化和氮化的机制，并定量确定表面化学成分、表面形态和摩擦学特性之间的关系。x射线光电子能谱（XPS）和傅里叶变换红外光谱（FTIR）将与原子力显微镜（AFM）结合使用，表征改性薄膜的化学成分、表面结构、形貌及其摩擦学性能（摩擦、收缩）。此外，将使用磨损休止器来表征改性薄膜的耐磨性。该项目旨在开发用于精密工具、磁记录、航天技术等领域的固体润滑剂涂层。受影响的一个主要市场将是磁盘介质。随着记录密度的增加，读写磁头与磁盘之间的距离（飞行高度）必须减小；正在考虑全面接触操作。因此，硬碳涂层的摩擦学性能直接影响到磁盘和读写头的双性性。

9561410 Dai This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project concerns the chemical modification of hard carbon coatings through reaction with radical species in order to improve their tribological performance. These modifications can also lead to the realization of wear resistant solid lubricant coatings. Two complementary approaches will be examined in parallel, fluorination and nitridation. Fluorination of hard carbon surfaces can reduce their friction, while reaction of hard carbon with active nitrogen species may produce nitrogen-containing carbon films with excellent thermal stability and hardness. This Phase I project will investigate pathways to improving the tribological properties (friction, striction and wear) of hard carbon coatings through chemical modifications of the surface region. The goal is to define the mechanisms of fluorination and nitridation using novel sources and to establish quantitatively the relationship between the surface chemical composition, surface morphology and the tribological properties. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy will be used in conjunction with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to characterize the modified films' chemical composition, surface structure, morphology and their tribological performances (friction, striction). In addition, a wear rester will be used to characterize the wear resistance of the modified films. This project is designed for the development of solid lubricant coatings in the areas of precision tooling, magnetic recording, space technology, etc. A major market that would be affected would be magnetic disk media. As recording density increases, the distance (fly height) between the read/write head and the disk has to be decreased; full contact operation is under consideration. As a result, the tribological properties of the hard carbon overcoats directly affect the dualibility of the disk and the read/write head.