Green Tribology: Orientation Properties of Diamond-Like Carbon Coatings of Friction Units in Lubricating Media

Abstract

Multidisciplinary conceptual approach to studying the friction in friction couples differing in the friction surfaces, their structure, structural organization in thin layers, lubricants, and loads in the contact zones using different methods for recording the sliding and rolling friction is presented. The possibility of controlling the boundary friction using deposited coatings and the orientation effect of these coatings on lubricating materials in friction couples was demonstrated. Application of diamond-like carbon coatings onto working surfaces of parts of heavy-duty friction units (engines, tooth gears, contacts between a metalworking tool and a part being machined, etc.) allows the content of additives in lubricating oils to be significantly reduced and thus the consumption of lubricating materials to be decreased, up to complete abandonment of the use of oils containing expensive or environmentally unfriendly additives.