A new kind of oscillating dynamic load test for tribological coatings

The tribological behaviour of thin films for tribological applications is commonly tested for failure using a variety of model tests and destructive characterisation methods. Typically, these tests are based on strongly simplified mechanical test conditions compared to the complex load situation occurring in most real applications. Thus, slip-rolling, fretting, and cyclic indentation behaviour may be tested separately, but not in combination. In this study, a novel dynamically loaded oscillating wear test is described. It was developed to apply a combination of oscillating wear and cyclic indentation loading on coated samples. The test set-up was designed as a module which can be inserted into a common tension-compression test apparatus. Several diamond-like carbon (DLC) coated steel samples were tested using the dynamic load device. The failure mechanisms were analysed and described.