Racing Applications and Validation of a Hard Carbon, Thin Film Coating (2002-01-3296)

A proprietary high hardness carbon thin film coating has been used to enhance the performance capability of engine components for racing applications. Coating properties, including high surface conformance, high adhesion, high hardness, flexibility, and low friction produce benefits for metal components in scuffing and impact applications.Methods to validate the coating’s properties include surface topography, adhesion testing, hardness and friction coefficient measurements, and wear rate testing. Hardness testing is accomplished with a nanoindentation tool capable of isolating the coating’s properties from those of the substrate, thereby minimizing measurement variations among substrates of varying hardness. The nano-indentation tool also measures elastic properties. Traditional lubricated test methods are used to demonstrate differences in friction and wear rates with coated surfaces compared to uncoated substrates.