Low-friction sliding mechanism

Abstract

[Summary] [Object] To provide a low-friction sliding mechanism capable of exhibiting an extremely excellent ultra-low friction characteristics at a sliding face existing in a variety of uses. [Solving means] A low-friction sliding mechanism is constituted by disposing a lubricant containing glycerol, at a sliding face formed between sliding members which have respectively hard carbon thin films. A low-friction sliding mechanism is constituted by disposing a lubricant containing hydroxyl group, at a sliding face formed between sliding members which have respectively hard carbon thin films, wherein a friction coefficient of smaller than 0.02 is exhibited in a sliding contacting condition under a boundary lubrication which exhibits a friction coefficient of 0.1 to 0.14 at a sliding face between a steel and a steel in presence of an engine oil. Each hard carbon thin film is formed of a-C or ta-C. Each hard carbon thin film has a hardness of 1500 to 5000 Hv in micro-Vickers hardness under a load of 10 g. Each hard carbon thin film has a film thickness of 0.3 to 2.0 μm. The lubricant containing hydroxyl group is one of alcohols, and is glycerol.

1 . A low-friction sliding mechanism comprising sliding members which respectively have hard carbon thin films between which a sliding face is formed, and a lubricant containing glycerol, existing at the sliding face. 
   
   
       2 . A low-friction sliding mechanism comprising sliding members which respectively have hard carbon thin films between which a sliding face is formed, and a lubricant containing hydroxyl group, existing at the sliding face,
 wherein a friction coefficient of smaller than 0.02 is exhibited in a sliding contacting condition under a boundary lubrication which exhibits a friction coefficient of 0.1 to 0.14 at a sliding face between steels in presence of an engine oil.   
   
   
       3 . A low-friction sliding mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the hard carbon thin film is a diamond-like carbon thin film formed of amorphous carbon (a-C) and/or tetrahedral carbon (ta-C). 
   
   
       4 . A low-friction sliding mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the hard carbon thin film has a hardness of 1500 to 5000 Hv in micro-Vickers hardness under a load of 10 g. 
   
   
       5 . A low-friction sliding mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the hard carbon thin film has a hardness of 2000 to 3500 Hv in micro-Vickers hardness under a load of 10 g. 
   
   
       6 . A low-friction sliding mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the hard carbon thin film has a film thickness of 0.3 to 2.0 μm. 
   
   
       7 . A low-friction sliding mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the hard carbon thin film has a film thickness of 0.5 to 1.5 μm. 
   
   
       8 . A low-friction sliding mechanism as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the lubricant containing hydroxyl group is one of alcohols. 
   
   
       9 . A low-friction sliding mechanism as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the lubricant containing hydroxyl group is glycerol. 
   
   
       10 . A low-friction sliding mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein hydrogen group and hydrogen group face each other to form a sliding interface of a tribo-film, at the sliding face. 
   
   
       11 . A low-friction sliding mechanism as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the hydrogen group is a part of the lubricant.