glossary
DLC coating — Industry Glossary Entry
Definition of DLC PVD coating for industrial blades: the lowest-friction coating available, eliminates built-up edge on stainless.
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DLC coating Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) is a PVD or PECVD amorphous carbon coating with a coefficient of friction as low as 0.05 against steel. Applied at 150–200 °C (much lower than nitride coatings), 1–3 µm thick. The amorphous carbon structure gives DLC its low friction and chemical inertness, while the sp²/sp³ carbon ratio controls hardness and density.
When to use
- Austenitic stainless slitting (304, 316) — eliminates built-up edge
- Aluminium foil slitting — eliminates welding
- Sticky polymer slitting (LDPE, soft PVC) — low friction releases the film
- Medical and food-contact cutting (chemically inert)
When NOT to use
- Above 350 °C edge temperature (DLC graphitises)
- Abrasive substrates without a hard undercoat (DLC alone is too soft)
- Impact-loaded parts (DLC is too thin)
DLC variants
- a-C:H (hydrogenated DLC): softer, lower stress, 1–2 µm
- ta-C (tetrahedral amorphous carbon): harder, higher stress, 0.5–1.5 µm
- a-C (amorphous carbon): standard
See also.
