Abstract:Hydrogenated WC/ C multilayer coating was deposited by unbalanced sputtering technology. It was
produced by isolating the acetylene gas, sputtering the graphite target and tungsten carbide target at the same time. A
Cr translation layer and a WC translation layer were arranged for the coating on 304 stainless steel or silicon wafers.
The microstructure and mechanical properties of coatings were analyzed by scanning electron microscope(SEM), Ra-
man spectrometer, X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and nanoidenter. Rtec friction tester was used to investigate the tribo-
logical properties of coating under PAO base oil, engine oil and corrosive engine oil. The results indicate that plentiful
graphite-like sp 2 bonds were formed in the coating. It has the multiphase composite structure in which WC 1-x phase is
embedded in the amorphous carbon. Compared with 304 stainless steel, WC/ C coating has higher hardness, elastic
modulus and the value of H/ E significantly. Besides, the coating exhibits lower friction coefficients and wear rates
than base materials under three kinds of lubricating oil conditions.
