Frictional behavior of cubic BN films sliding against DLC

Cubic BN (c-BN) film was deposited onto Si substrate by means of a magnetically enhanced plasma ion plating method utilizing a hot cathode plasma discharge in a parallel magnetic field. In this study, frictional behavior of the c-BN film, particularly when it came into sliding contact with diamond-like-carbon (DLC) film, was investigated using a ball-on-disk type tribometer. Furthermore, to determine the friction characteristics of c-BN films against DLC, friction tests using c-BN film and amorphous BN (a-BN) films as the counter materials were also carried out for comparison. Results showed that the friction coefficient value between c-BN and DLC films was very low and stable for prolonged periods. On the other hand, in the experiments conducted for comparison, using BN materials such as c-BN and a-BN as the counter friction materials, the friction coefficient values were high. The friction system consisting of c-BN and DLC films showed excellent friction behavior. These results may be important for the further development of c-BN films for tribological applications.