Potential of thick a-C:H:Si films as substitute for chromium plating

Sliding tests under unlubricated conditions of a-C:H:Si films showed superior friction performance (friction coefficient μ = 0.02 versus μ = 1.1) and excellent wear resistance of the coating and the counterpart (wear rate 7 ∗ 10− 8 mm3/N− 1 m− 1 versus 6 ∗ 10− 5 mm3/N− 1 m− 1) compared to hard chromium. Further potentiometric observations demonstrated a much better corrosion resistance for thick a-C:H:Si coatings than hard chromium (Ecorr − 0.28 V vs. Ecorr − 0.52 V).