Diamond-Like Carbon Coating (DLC) – The New Standard for Extreme Surface Finishing
Diamond-Like Carbon Coating (DLC) is rapidly becoming the go-to solution for engineers who need ultra-low friction, exceptional hardness, and chemical inertness in one thin film. At JLY Precision Tech, we deposit hydrogen-free (ta-C) and hydrogenated (a-C:H) DLC layers via cathodic-arc PVD, delivering repeatable quality from prototype to high-volume runs.
Why Diamond-Like Carbon Coating (DLC) Beats Traditional Finishes
| Property | 
Hard Chrome | 
Electroless Ni-P | 
TiN PVD | 
DLC (ta-C) | 
| Thickness (µm) | 
5–100 | 
5–50 | 
1–5 | 
0.5–4 | 
| Hardness (HV) | 
800–1 100 | 
500–700 | 
1 800–2 000 | 
2 500–3 000 | 
| Friction vs. steel (dry) | 
0.25 | 
0.3 | 
0.4 | 
0.05–0.15 | 
| Salt-spray (h) | 
48 | 
96 | 
200 | 
1 000+ | 
| REACH compliance | 
Restricted | 
OK | 
OK | 
OK | 
 
 
Diamond-Like Carbon Coating (DLC) Process Flow in Shenzhen
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Plasma etch – removes oxides and micro-roughens the surface
 
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Bond layer – 50 nm Cr or CrN for adhesion on steel, Ti, Al
 
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DLC deposition – arc-evaporated graphite at 200 °C
 
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Post-polish – optional CMP to Ra ≤ 0.02 µm
 
Diamond-Like Carbon Coating (DLC) in Action – 3 Case Studies
Case Study 1 – High-Pressure Diesel Piston
Client: Tier-1 EU OEM
Issue: Galling at 2 500 bar
DLC Solution: 2 µm ta-C + Cr interlayer
Result: Zero seizure after 1 000 h; torque down 22 %
Case Study 2 – Ophthalmic Scalpel
Client: Japan Med Device Start-up
Issue: 30 µm edge retention
DLC Solution: 500 nm a-C:H on martensitic stainless
Result: Edge radius growth < 5 µm; CE-marked product
Case Study 3 – CNC Router Linear Rails
Client: US Woodworking OEM
Issue: Abrasive MDF dust
DLC Solution: 1.2 µm ta-C + burnish Ra 0.04 µm
Result: Service interval 6 → 24 months; 60 % savings
Sub-Heading: Diamond-Like Carbon Coating (DLC) vs. External Benchmarks
For a deeper dive into DLC tribology, see the authoritative review by Robertson in Materials Science and Engineering (DOI:10.1016/j.mser.2022.100800). JLY Precision Tech aligns its process parameters with these peer-reviewed findings.
Diamond-Like Carbon Coating (DLC) Adoption Map 2024-2026
| Sector | 
2024 Rate | 
2026 Forecast | 
Key Parts | 
| Automotive | 
8 % | 
22 % | 
Injectors, gears | 
| Medical | 
18 % | 
35 % | 
Scalpels, drills | 
| Packaging | 
5 % | 
15 % | 
Slitter knives | 
| Aerospace | 
12 % | 
28 % | 
Flap tracks | 
 
 
Frequently Asked Questions About Diamond-Like Carbon Coating (DLC)
Q: Will DLC darken under UV?
A: No—Diamond-Like Carbon Coating (DLC) colour is intrinsic; no dyes to fade.
Q: Can DLC be stripped and recoated?
A: Yes, oxygen plasma removes DLC without harming base dimensions.
Ready to Upgrade to Diamond-Like Carbon Coating (DLC)?
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Specify load, temperature, mating material
 
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Receive DFM + coating plan within 48 h
 
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No MOQ, volume pricing from 100 pcs