Tribological performance of hydrophilic diamond-like carbon coatings on Ti-6Al-4V in biological environment

Abstract

Tribological performance of diamond-like carbon (DLC) and Si doped DLC (Si-DLC) films on Ti-6Al-4V under bovine serum as well as water and ambient air condition has been studied in terms of surface modification with O-2 plasma treatment for superhydrophilic surface. A tribo-test revealed that bovine serum significantly enhanced the tribological performance on all DLC surfaces in comparison with those under water or in air medium. Especially, O-2 plasma treated Si-DLC coatings with superhydrophilic nature were found to lower the wear and increase coating stability associated with macromolecules especially proteins in the bovine serum and their interactions with surfaces. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.