Resumen
Ultralow friction is achieved by ZrO2 as the friction mate material for DLC (Diamond like carbon) films under various environments. Coefficient of friction (CoF) of ZrO2/DLC films is as ultra low as 0.02 in ambient air at the temperature of 200 °C, and 0.03, 0.04 and 0.05 in hydrogen, nitrogen and vacuum environments at the temperature of 100 °C, respectively. It is concluded that the transferred films are formed on the worn surface of ZrO2 ball and amorphous carbon films. Ultralow friction of the friction pair is related with hydrogen, which is derived from DLC films, hydrogen environment or the liberation hydrogen due to hydrothermal oxidation. The ultralow friction mechanism is attributed to the formation of hydrogenated amorphous carbon films on ZrO2 ball and the shielding action of hydrogen from DLC films and the transferred films simultaneously.