Bonding strength of DLC film on zirconia coating prepared by gas tunnel type plasma spraying

Bonding strength of diamond-like carbon (DLC) films on zirconia coatings prepared using a novel gas tunnel plasma spraying method has been studied and discussed. The emphasis is on the getting better characteristics of such doubly structured coatings (DSC) as comparing compared with properties of both components involved in the coatings. For the study of various failure mechanisms zirconia coatings of different thicknesses on aluminum substrates were prepared. The as-sprayed coatings were firstly polished and then subjected to deposition of DLC films. Adhesion of the DSC has been evaluated using a scratch test method. It has been found that the thicker coatings have higher hardness and lower porosity. The adhesion failures of DLC films on zirconia coatings (DSC) are caused by two different main mechanisms: (i) DLC films separation from the zirconia coatings, and (ii) DLC films breaking under stress load due to the brittleness of the material. In addition the adhesion failures are due to flaking of DLC films on the thinner zirconia coatings caused by a distortion of the aluminum alloy substrate coatings; and, chipping of DLC films themselves on the thicker zirconia coatings.