Tribological properties of graphite-like carbon coatings coupling with different metals in ambient air and water

Tribological properties of graphite-like carbon (GLC) coatings coupling with different metals of brass, Al, GCr15 and Ti in ambient air and water were investigated. The order of friction coefficients (FCs) was GLC–brass>GLC–Al>GLC–GCr15>GLC–Ti in both of the two environments, but the FC in water was lower than that in ambient air for each tribo-pair. Wear rates (WRs) decreases of the GLC coating in water were observed when sliding against Al, GCr15 and Ti. Though the WR of GLC coating sliding against brass increased in water, it was still comparatively low.