Triboperformance of diamond-like carbon films for rubbers: progress, challenges, and enhancements

Rubber seals are widely used in the hydraulic and pneumatic systems of large-scale engineering equipment. However, their applications under dynamic loads often leads to severe wear-induced failures, posing significant safety hazards and substantial economic losses. Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films, known for their outstanding tribological properties, offer a promising approach to enhance the wear resistance and durability of rubber parts. This study reviews commonly employed techniques for depositing DLC films on rubber substrates and elucidates the tribological mechanisms. Furthermore, the factors influencing the tribological performance of DLC/rubber composite systems are analyzed. Additionally, due to issues such as high residual stress and inadequate interfacial adhesion in the films, four widely accepted and effective mitigation solutions are proposed. This review provides key perspectives for advancing the design and application of DLC/rubber composite films, thereby facilitating their transition toward practical engineering implementation.