Friction and adhesion properties of fluorocarbon polymer thin films prepared by magnetron sputtering

Fluorocarbon polymer thin films were deposited onto a SUS302 substrate with a poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) target by three different types of r.f. magnetron sputtering systems with strong, weak and unbalanced magnetic fields. Friction and adhesion properties of these polymer thin films were evaluated.Friction coefficient of polymer thin films prepared with strong magnetic field, unbalanced magnetron and without magnetron (r.f. sputtering) was almost the same level, however, that prepared with the weak magnetic field was slightly lower than those of other thin films. Wear durability of polymer thin film increased with increase of the magnetic field.Adhesion strength between these thin films and SUS302 substrate and shear stress were measured by SAICAS. Both of the adhesion strength and shear stress of polymer thin films prepared with r.f. sputtering (without magnetron) were slightly higher than those prepared by magnetron sputtering systems.