Automotive Plasma Painting Process

This study investigates the deposition of hydrogenated diamond-like carbon (DLC) films on SAE 1045 alloy samples using a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor (PECVD) system and evaluates their potential as automotive coatings. Copper doping was performed via hollow copper cathode to examine its effects DLC films. The primary focus determine structural properties, color variations, friction resistance coated samples, with goal establishing applicability in industry. Raman spectroscopy confirmed successful films, while energy dispersive X-ray (EDS) analysis demonstrated variation atom concentrations based sputtering duration during process. observed changes correlated concentrations, interference phenomenon refractive index differences between proposed factors influencing variations. Scratch tests were conducted evaluate delamination materials compared conventionally painted steel samples. results indicated that DLC-coated exhibited higher resistance, an estimated 15% increase resistance. enhanced hypothesized result from high hardness accumulation nanoparticles valleys sample surface, reducing irregularities.