SiOx Top Layer on DLC Films for Atomic Oxygen and Ozone Corrosion Protection in Aerospace Applications

Every year, billions of dollars are invested in research and development for space applications, including new systems, technologies, materials. DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) is a promising material use these but its faces technological barrier, since it severely etched by atomic oxygen ozone. In this study, SiOx-DLC thin films were deposited as top layer diamond-like carbon (DLC) on Ti-6Al-4V substrates to increase resistance against corrosion ozone well meet the requirements Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. The was evaluated using plasma, tribological mechanical properties investigated. reduced rate two orders magnitude increased critical load from 16.2 ± 1.5 N 18.4 0.4 N.