Nanoindentation Fracture Behaviors of Diamond-Like Carbon Film on Aluminum Alloy with Different Interface Toughnesses

Abstract

Fracture behaviors of a diamond-like carbon (DLC) film on an aluminum alloy (AA2017) were analyzed by a nanoindentation test under conditions of deep and full penetrations of an indenter tip through the DLC film. The interface structure between the DLC and AA2017 was modified by using the substrate sputtering and redeposition (SSRD) method. The films deposited with a shorter (30 min) SSRD duration showed weak adhesion to the substrate and often resulted in wide delamination from the impressions. At the same time, films deposited with a longer (120 min) SSRD duration showed no such delamination. Obvious brittle fractures were detected in the load-displacement curves mainly in the film with the short SSRD duration. These results suggest that a long SSRD inhibited the delamination of the DLC film from AA2017 under local and strong stress conditions because of the improved interface toughness. #