Research on Ti-GLC/TiCN/TiN composite multilayer coating with ultra-low friction coefficient in various environments

Abstract The Ti-GLC (graphite-like carbon)/TiCN/TiN composite multilayer coatings with ultra-low friction coefficient were prepared by High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering technique (HiPIMS). The friction and wear properties of the coatings in multiple environments including artificial seawater, 0.5 mol/L H2SO4 (pH = 0) and 0.1 mol/L NaOH (pH = 13) solution were studied. During the sliding process, the friction coefficients of the coatings in the environments mentioned above are 0.059, 0.109 and 0.037, respectively. Meanwhile, the wear rates of the coatings all remain at 10−7 orders of magnitude mm3•N−1•m−1 in aqueous environments. The results of the tribo-corrosion test show that the coating has a significant passivation, which protects the coating effectively. The friction and wear properties of the coatings are maintained at a very considerable level in various environments.