Development and applications of protective DLC-based coatings in tooling industry

ABSTRACT: The article presents the state-of-the-art of the classification and fabrication methods of multilayer DLC-based coatings, as well as methods for tailoring specific physico-chemical, mechanical and tribological properties, e.g. through modification of their chemical composition and doping. The main techniques for deposition of DLC layers are discussed, with particular emphasis on the effect of process parameters on the composition, structure (sp²/sp³ bonding ratio), and internal stresses within the coatings. The paper presents extensive research results on the mechanical, tribological, and functional properties of DLC coatings under various operating conditions. Current and potential applications in various sectors of tooling industries, such as machining, metal forming, and pressure die-casting, are discussed. A substantial portion of the article is devoted to the use of multilayer, e.g. TiAlN/DLC coated cutting tools in the machining of different work materials. The article highlights the main technological limitations and the resulting directions for further development.

KEYWORDS: DLC-based coatings, deposition methods, tribological properties, tooling applications

STRESZCZENIE: Artykuł przedstawia aktualny stan wiedzy dotyczący klasyfikacji i metod wytwarzania powłok z warstwą DLC oraz sposobów uzyskania specyficznych właściwości fizykochemicznych, mechanicznych i tribologicznych, m.in. przez modyfikację składu chemicznego i domieszkowanie. Omówiono główne techniki osadzania warstw DLC ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem wpływu parametrów procesów na skład, strukturę (stosunek wiązań sp²/sp³) oraz naprężenia wewnętrzne powłok. W pracy przedstawiono obszerne wyniki badań dotyczące właściwości mechanicznych, tribologicznych i funkcjonalnych powłok z warstwą DLC w różnych warunkach eksploatacji. Omówiono aktualne i potencjalne zastosowania w różnych działach przemysłu nnarzędziowego, takich jak skrawanie, obróbka plastyczna i odlewanie ciśnieniowe. Obszerną część artykułu poświęcono zastosowaniu powłok wielowarstwowych, np. typu TiAlN/DLC, w skrawaniu różnych materiałów. W artykule wyszczególniono główne ograniczenia technologiczne oraz wynikające z nich kierunki dalszych badań rozwojowych.

SŁOWA KLUCZOWE: powłoki DLC, metody nakładania, właściwości tribologiczne, zastosowania narzędziowe

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17814/mechanik.2026.4.6

 

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