What is it about?

Diamond-like carbon is a thin film that improves the properties of devices such as drill bits and biomedical implants to reduce friction or improve compatibility. This work studies ways to ensure the film sticks well to the underlying steel surface of a device. A plasma 'cleaning' process is used and this work shows the best procedure for film adhesion as well as showing how the process affects both the underlying metal and the final film surface.

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Why is it important?

This is a widely used technique both for real devices in mechanical and biomedical implants and for laboratory experiments. This work will improve device quality and lifetimes as well as improve the understanding of the film production and interactions.

Perspectives

This studies in detail the plasma cleaning process often used in laboratories and industrially for thin film adhesion on metals. Complementary techniques (XRD, SEM, AFM, XPS) show how the nano structure of the metal surface is altered, and how this affects the final film structure and properties.

Dr Benjamin J Jones
University of Abertay Dundee

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This page is a summary of: Argon plasma treatment techniques on steel and effects on diamond-like carbon structure and delamination, Diamond and Related Materials, July 2011, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.diamond.2011.06.004.
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