Stress-dependent adhesion and sliding-induced nanoscale wear of diamond-like carbon studied using in situ TEM nanoindentation

We present the first in situ transmission electron microscope (TEM) study of extended sliding diamond-like carbon (DLC) on diamond. show how tribological properties amorphous (a-C) reach their limit by exploring onset wear for harsh condition against diamond vacuum. A particularly hard, hydrogen-free member DLC family, a-C is wide technological interest, but mechanisms which damage occurs during contact are not well understood. Real-time TEM imaging nanoscale area provides insight into and damage. that at high normal stresses with full contributing to additional shear stress, initially low adhesion a-C-diamond interface rapidly increases a rate greater than seen similar silicon-diamond studies. propose away relatively surface energy sp2-rich layer outer surface, exposing sp3-rich sub-layers can form covalent bonds require more tensile force be broken, leading higher an acceleration wear.