Diamond-like Nanocomposites as Wear Resistant, Low Friction Coatings for Cryogenic Coolers

A new class of thin film coating materials, diamond-like nanocomposites (DLN) have been developed. These materials have a combination of properties making them an excellent choice for use as wear resistant coatings on mechanical cryogenic coolers for space applications. In particular, the reliability and maintainability of conventional mechanical coolers could be enhanced by engineering the surface of moving mechanical parts with a friction reducing layer. DLN has a very low coefficient of friction, high hardness, and high endurance. The coatings have low stress and have excellent adhesion to most surfaces. They are not subject to outgassing, and are atomic oxygen resistant. They are durable to very low temperatures (<100K), and are stable at temperatures up to 1600K in non-oxidizing environments. The coating's tribological properties have been successfully demonstrated in ambient conditions. In this proposed Phase I, Advanced Refractory Technologies, Inc. (ART) will test them under simulated cryogenic conditions.