Tribological Properties of PVD Silver Films

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Abstract
This paper presents an experimental study made on physical-vapor-deposited (PVD) silver films. A conventional ion plating unit was used in depositing ion-plated, vacuum-deposited, and gas-deposited silver films. Experimental work on nucleation, growth, and interface formation is briefly presented. Some adhesion, microhardness, and x-ray test results are also included. Friction and wear test results are reported in details. The good lubrication properties are attributed initially to the low shear strength in the direction of sliding, and also to the transfer-back-transfer mechanism. The wear mechanism however, is initially a microcutting process, followed by wear debris abrasion process and, finally, a fatigue wear process.