Atomistic Simulations On The Nanotribology Of Tetrahedral Amorphous Carbon Films

This book presents the status quo of the structure, preparation, properties and applications of tetrahedrally bonded amorphous carbon (ta-C) films and compares them with related film systems. Tetrahedrally bonded amorphous carbon films (ta-C) combine some of the outstanding properties of diamond with the versatility of amorphous materials. The book compares experimental results with the predictions of theoretical analyses, condensing them to practicable rules. It is strictly application oriented, emphasizing the exceptional potential of ta-C for tribological coatings of tools and components.

Diamond-like carbon is amorphous carbon with a high degree of sp3 bonding, and is widely used for hard coatings and field emission cathodes. This book contains reviews by leading workers in the field, covering the topics of deposition methods, deposition mechanisms, atomic structure, surface atomic structure, electronic structure calculations, Raman, doping, luminescence, electron field emission, mechanical properties and tribology.

Amorphous carbon films about 20 mn thick are used by the computer industry as protective coatings on magnetic disks. The structure and function of this family of materials at the atomic level is poorly understood. The growth and properties of a:C and a:CH films 1 to 5 nm thick has been simulated using classical molecular dynamics and a bond-order potential with torsional terms. Studies of quenched melts that verify the ability of this potential to reproduce known features of extended structures of carbon in two and three dimensions are briefly described. In molecular dynamics calculations the incident species were neutral atoms C, or C and H with energies up to 100 eV. The stoichiometry, chemical bonding and distribution functions within the films were analyzed using IBM's Power Visualization System for different incident gas energies. Microscopic features such as multiple ring structures, including planar graphitic structures, were easily identified. Some preliminary studies of the nanotribology of the a:C films are described, including nano-indentation and sliding in contact with a rigid probe.

Research in the area of nanoindentation has gained significant momentum in recent years, but there are very few books currently available which can educate researchers on the application aspects of this technique in various areas of materials science. Applied Nanoindentation in Advanced Materials addresses this need and is a comprehensive, self-contained reference covering applied aspects of nanoindentation in advanced materials. With contributions from leading researchers in the field, this book is divided into three parts. Part one covers innovations and analysis, and parts two and three examine the application and evaluation of soft and ceramic-like materials respectively. Key features: A one stop solution for scholars and researchers to learn applied aspects of nanoindentation Contains contributions from leading researchers in the field Includes the analysis of key properties that can be studied using the nanoindentation technique Covers recent innovations Includes worked examples Applied Nanoindentation in Advanced Materials is an ideal reference for researchers and practitioners working in the areas of nanotechnology and nanomechanics, and is also a useful source of information for graduate students in mechanical and materials engineering, and chemistry. This book also contains a wealth of information for scientists and engineers interested in mathematical modelling and simulations related to nanoindentation testing and analysis.