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IBC MATERIALS & TECHNOLOGIES
Low Friction Coatings (DLC, Ti-MoS2)
- Hydraulic components – cylinders, pistons, gear pumps
- Valve components – balls, gates, seats, actuators, housings
- Automotive components – crank shafts, cam shafts, gears, bearings, piston rings, tappets, wrist pins, fuel injectors
- Pump components – impellers, diffusers, rotors
- Metal forming dies for galling resistance and release
- Plastic molding and extrusion components for abrasion resistance and release
Unparalleled Resistance to Fretting, Galling, and Sliding Wear
Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) and Titanium-Doped Molybdenum Disulfide (TiMoS2) are amorphous nano-composite coatings with a combination of high hardness and low friction properties, for unparalleled resistance to fretting, galling, and sliding wear.
Low Friction Coatings (DLC, Ti-MoS2)
Detailed Process Description
IBC’s low friction DLC and TiMoS2 coatings can be deposited through two distinct processes:
- Radio Frequency and Magnetron Sputtering Physical Vapor Deposition (RF-MSPVD)
- Ultra-low process temperature (<200°C)
- Line-of-sight deposition with multiple degrees of rotation
- Metal-doped DLC and MoS2 coatings are possible
- 30” x 40” with 3000 lbs capacity
- Plasma Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition (PACVD)
- Low process temperature (<500°C)
- Non-line-of-sight deposition for uniformity on complex shapes
- Silicon-doped DLC coatings with high thickness are possible
- 60” x 83” with 18,000 lbs capacity
IBC’s RF-MSPVD and PACVD processes are performed in vacuum plasma furnaces under an inert gas environment. Nearly any vacuum-safe material can be coated by one or both of these processes:
- Metals – steel, aluminum, titanium, nickel, etc.
- Nonmetals – silicon, carbon composites, polymers, etc.
- Ceramics – tungsten carbide (WC), silicon carbide (SiC), glass, etc.
Low Friction Coatings (DLC, Ti-MoS2)
Unparalleled Resistance to Fretting, Galling, and Sliding Wear
Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) and Titanium-Doped Molybdenum Disulfide (TiMoS2) are amorphous nano-composite coatings with a combination of high hardness and low friction properties, for unparalleled resistance to fretting, galling, and sliding wear.
Characteristics
- High hardness
- CeraTough™ DLC Coatings: 1000 – 3000+ HV (see classification table)
- CeraTough™ TiMoS2 Coatings: 700 – 1000 HV
- Controllable thickness
- RF-MSPVD: 0.5 – 4+ microns
- PACVD: 0.5 – 30+ microns
- Extremely low coefficient of friction (COF): <0.1 dry
- Excellent release properties for resistance to galling, fretting, and sticking
- High corrosion resistance: 300+ hrs of ASTM G85-A4 or 1000+ hrs of ASTM B117
- Variable electrical insulation (up to 1000 V breakdown resistance)
- Green technology: no hazardous waste streams
- Attractive color shades of anthracite, black, and multicolor “rainbow” are possible
Applications
CeraTough™ DLC and TiMoS2 coatings are frequently used for low friction and wear resistance in dry or lubricant-starved applications. Many components operate in a mixed or boundary lubrication regime, where metal-on-metal contact occurs despite the presence of conventional lubricants. This inevitably leads to oxidation, corrosion, and/or adhesive wear (galling, fretting, etc.), which can cause high friction and seizing of moving parts.
By applying IBC’s self-lubricating, wear resistant coatings to one or both wear surfaces, these failure modes are mitigated. In some cases, conventional lubricant usage can be reduced or eliminated, resulting in lower operational costs and environmental impact. CeraTough™ DLC and TiMoS2 coatings have demonstrated life improvements of 5x and higher in extremely demanding applications such as:
DLC, Ti-MoS2
Low Friction Coatings Features
