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