DLC Coating

What is a Diamond-Like-Carbon (DLC) Coating?

DLC coatings offer a unique combination of high hardness and low friction coefficient → ‘the hardness of diamond and the lubricity of graphite’.

We are thus able to engineer DLC coatings to make them harder like diamond or softer like graphite – according to the requirements that a specific application demands.

Furthermore, DLC coatings can be doped to include metallic elements and can include multi-layered structures that further enhance the performance and flexibility of such coatings.

DLC Coatings - Diamond-Like Carbon

Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coatings can be deposited by different technologies such as PVD arc, PVD sputtering and PACVD processes. The choice of technology and deposition parameters allow for a wide variety of performance characteristics, including hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated DLC coatings.

DLC coatings are environmentally friendly and can be used to reduce friction, wear, fretting, galling and corrosion. They can also be used to modify electrical conductivity and wettability. Due to the attractive colors of DLC coatings (ranging from anthracite to deep black), they are often applied in decorative applications such as watchmaking, jewelry, kitchen and bath hardware, automotive interiors, firearms and other fields, combining both aesthetics and performance.

DLC coating solutions

DLC Characteristics 

Low friction coefficient

Excellent abrasion protection

Excellent protection against galling, cold welding and fretting

Corrosion protection in selected corrosive media

Attractive color range from anthracite to deep black

What are typical applications of DLC Coatings?

DLC coatings are used for a wide range of applications. DLC coatings are especially useful where a combination of both wear and friction reduction is required. DLC coatings also offer a cosmetically pleasing charcoal finish. Typical applications include:

Automotive: piston wrist lifters, pins, rocker arms, transmission gears, etc.

Medical: surgical tools, prosthetic applications

Firearms: pistol slides, barrels, bolt carriers

Industrial components and machinery: pistons, plungers, gears, mechanical seals

Injection molding: dies, ejector pins, sliding machine parts