Diamond-like carbon coating on chain guides and tensioning arms for internal combustion engines

摘要

A nylon chain tensioning arm and nylon chain guide having diamond-like carbon coatings are provided. The diamond-like carbon coating is formed on the substrate by methods including physical vapor deposition, for example, by sputtering or chemical vapor deposition of coating systems composed of various combinations of amorphous carbon. A preferred method for applying the diamond-like carbon coating to the nylon substrate is a hybrid process of plasma-based ion implantation and deposition. The chain tensioning arm or guide may be formed from any number of plastics appropriate to the purpose, although a synthetic polymer, such as the aliphatic polyamide nylon, is the preferred material. The substrate may be a conventional nylon or may be a composite reinforced with glass or carbon fibers. The diamond-like carbon coating may be applied to the nylon substrate by vapor deposition, either directly to the chain-contacting surface or upon a primed surface formed on the substrate prior to deposition.

主权项

1. A component for sliding contact with a timing chain in an internal combustion engine, the component comprising:
a body having a sliding chain contact area, said body being composed of a polymerized material, said polymerized material being an aliphatic polyamide; an amorphous carbon coating formed on said contact area; and an intermediate coat between said contact area and said coating.