Tribological behavior under aggressive environment of diamond-like carbon films with incorporated nanocrystalline diamond particles

► Nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) particles were incorporated in DLC films (NCD-DLC). ► NCD particles slightly increased sp3/sp2 ratio and the film roughness. ► NCD particles demonstrated to reduce DLC friction and wear. ► The friction of NCD-DLC films under aggressive environment was investigated.