Growth of polycrystalline and nanocrystalline diamond films on pure titanium by microwave plasma assisted CVD process

Well-faceted polycrystalline diamond (PCD) films were deposited along with nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) films on the pure titanium substrate by a microwave plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition (MWPCVD) system in the environment of CH₄ and H₂ gases at a moderate temperature. Diamond film deposition on pure titanium and Ti alloys is always extremely hard due to the high diffusion coefficient of carbon in Ti, the big mismatch in their thermal expansion coefficients, the complex nature of the interlayer formed during diamond deposition, and the difficulty of attaining very high nucleation density. A well-faceted PCD film and a smooth NCD film were successfully deposited on pure Ti substrate by using a simple two-step deposition technique. Both films adhered well. Detailed experimental results on the preparation, characterization and successful deposition of the diamond coatings on pure Ti are discussed. Lastly, it is shown that smooth NCD film can be deposited at moderate temperature with sufficient diamond quality for mechanical and tribological applications.