The effect of group 5 metal elements addition to ta-C coating on tribological properties in dry friction
Abstract
Abstract Carbon-based hard coatings are ideal for mechanical materials due to their high hardness. However, maintaining low friction in air requires suppressing oxidation by atmospheric oxygen to protect the graphite structure, known for its low friction properties. This study introduced group 5 elements (vanadium, niobium, and tantalum) into the coatings to safeguard the graphite structure and enhance wear resistance through oxidation and reduction reactions. Using a ta-C coating with a high sp3 carbon structure, the effects of these elements were analyzed. The ta-C:Ta coating, containing tantalum, achieved the lowest average friction coefficient of 0.043 in air, followed by ta-C:Nb at 0.067, demonstrating the potential of group 5 elements to improve coating performance.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Tribology and Wear Analysis
Lubricants and Their Additives
Tribology and Lubrication Engineering
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Friction
- Publisher
- Tsinghua University Press
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 9441264–9441264
- Publication date
- 9 May 2026
- Language
- EN