Attempting AG-Doped Diamond-Like Carbon Film to Improve Seal Performance of Hydraulic Servo-Actuator

A hydraulic servo-actuator is a critical aircraft control device whose sealing performance directly affects the sensitivity and accuracy of the aircraft flight attitude. Foreign intrusive particles in hydraulic oil may induce the vulnerable friction pair wear and the seal leak; they may even lead to oil spill accidents. This work attempts to conduct a systematical investigation of Ag-doped diamond-like carbon (Ag-DLC) film to improve the seal performance. The failure of the servo-actuator was analyzed. Then, a series of Ag-DLC films was deposited; the structure and combined tribological performances of the Ag-DLC films were investigated. The results show that the intensity of the Ag (111) crystal face in the films increases with an increase of Ag content. The hardness, intrinsic stress, frictional coefficient, and wear rate of the films tend to decrease with the amount of doping metal. The a:C-Ag(10.5%) film exhibits optimal combined properties. The Ag doping makes the film toughness improve; both soft Ag particles and a graphitized top layer act as solid lubricants. Our findings may offer a novel approach to make DLC film applicable for improving the seal performance of hydraulic servo-actuator. Based on the experimental data, a mechanism behind the film modification of Ag-DLC film is also revealed.