Slidably movable member and method of producing same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system comprising:
- a) a metal or silicon nitride substrate;
b) an oiliness agent; and
c) a hard carbon-based film formed on the substrate, the hard carbon-based film comprising a sufficient number of polar groups to adsorb the oiliness agent to a degree to produce a lowered coefficient of friction;
wherein the hard carbon-based film has a surface roughness, Ra, of not higher than 0.1 μ
m.
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Abstract
A slidably movable member such as an adjusting shim used in a valve operating mechanism of an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle. The slidably movable member is used in contact with lubricating oil and comprises a substrate. A hard carbon-based film is coated on a surface of the substrate. The hard carbon-based film has a surface section which contains at least one of nitrogen and oxygen in an amount ranging from 0.5 to 30 at % and/or hydrogen in an amount of not more than 10 at %.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a) a metal or silicon nitride substrate; b) an oiliness agent; and c) a hard carbon-based film formed on the substrate, the hard carbon-based film comprising a sufficient number of polar groups to adsorb the oiliness agent to a degree to produce a lowered coefficient of friction; wherein the hard carbon-based film has a surface roughness, Ra, of not higher than 0.1 μ
m.
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2. A system comprising:
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a) a metal or silicon nitride substrate; b) a hard carbon-based film formed on the substrate, the hard carbon-based film having been applied by a process that produces in a surface of the film an increased concentration of polar groups; and c) an agent which adsorbs to the surface of the hard carbon-based film as a result of the presence of the polar groups and which thereby decreases the friction coefficient of the surface wherein the hard carbon-based film has a surface roughness, Ra, of not higher than 0.1 μ
m.
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3. A method for making a system which comprises a metal or silicon nitride substrate;
- a hard carbon-based film formed on the substrate, the hard carbon-based film having been applied by a process that produces in a surface of the film an increased concentration of polar groups; and
an agent which adsorbs to the surface of the hard carbon-based film as a result of the presence of the polar groups and which thereby decreases the friction coefficient of the surface wherein the hard carbon-based film has a surface roughness, Ra, of not higher than 0.1 μ
m, the method comprising;forming the hard carbon-based film on a surface of a substrate forming part of a slidable member; producing polar groups on the surface of the hard carbon-base film; and allowing the agent to adsorb to the surface of the hard carbon-based film. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- a hard carbon-based film formed on the substrate, the hard carbon-based film having been applied by a process that produces in a surface of the film an increased concentration of polar groups; and
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9. A system comprising:
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a first surface which comprises a sliding surface comprising a diamond-like carbon film having a hydrogen content of not more than 10% and polar groups present at the surface of the film; a second surface which comprises a sliding surface; and a lubricant in contact with the sliding surfaces of the first and second substrates wherein the lubricant comprises a friction modifier.
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Specification