Our vision is to create energy-efficient technical systems with low wear through targeted surface modification using tribologically active coatings. We regard these tribologically active PVD/PACVD coatings as distinct design elements. Our research activities aimed at developing customized solutions include:
- Coating development and selection
- Tribological model and component testing
- Fundamentals of dimensioning
- Component design guidelines
Applications and typical layers
We possess scientific and practical expertise in the field of:
- Amorphous carbon coating systems
- Hard coating systems
- Solid lubricant coating systems
Existing coating system
We have access to an industrial-scale system adapted for research purposes, featuring the following capabilities:
- Automated process operation and control
- Two controlled rectangular arc cathodes
- Two MF-pulsed rectangular sputtering cathodes
- One liquid vaporizer
- Continuous or MF-pulsed substrate bias
- Supply of up to four inert or reactive gases
- Mass spectrometer for process and residual gas analysis
Available coating processes
The coating process is carried out in a vacuum from the gas phase via:
- (Reactive) cathode sputtering (PVD sputtering)
- (Reactive) arc evaporation (PVD arc)
- Plasma-activated chemical vapor deposition (PACVD)
Layer characterization
Extensive, modern equipment enables us to carry out comprehensive coating characterization:
Mechanical and physical properties
- Elasticity, ductility, hardness (instrumented indentation testing)
- Adhesion (scratch test, Rockwell indentation test)
- Thickness (step height measurement, spherical grinding, taper sectioning)
- Abrasion and impact resistance (spherical grinding test, impact test)
- Wettability, surface energy (contact angle measurement)
Tribological behavior
- Various pin-on-disc tribometers (laboratory environment, climate-controlled)
- High-temperature vacuum pin-on-disc tribometer
- Disc-on-disc tribometer
- Twin-disc tribometer
- Load scanner (cylinder-on-cylinder contact)
Topographical properties and wear analysis
- Tactile roughness and contour measuring instrument
- Various light microscopes
- Confocal measuring microscope
- 3D laser scanning microscope
Via the university’s materials cluster, including:
- Atomic force microscope
- Micro-Raman spectrometer
- X-ray photoelectron spectrometer
- Various X-ray diffractometers
- Various scanning electron microscopes
- Thin-film preparation using focused ion beam
Component tests
We develop and operate project-specific test rigs for testing coating systems under realistic operating conditions—for example, for the cam/bucket tappet contact in the valvetrain.
Simulation and Data Mining
In addition to physical tests, simulations are used to determine the requirements for the tribologically active coating system, or data mining methods are employed for predictive models.