Differences Between DLC Coatings and Diamond Friction Shims: Material Comparison of Industrial Friction-increasing Shims
In industrial precision transmission and connection applications, high-friction surface treatment solutions mainly include various technical routes such as DLC coatings, diamond nickel‑phosphorus composite plating, and traditional serrated washers. These solutions differ significantly in friction performance, working condition adaptability, service life and cost. Product selection should be determined according to actual operating requirements.
## I. Core Differences Among Four Main Friction‑increasing Solutions
### Diamond Nickel‑Phosphorus Composite Plating (DAOLER Friction Shims)
Diamond particles are uniformly anchored onto the metal substrate via electroless plating to form a hard, high‑friction composite layer. Its key advantages include a high static friction coefficient (0.6–0.8), strong resistance to impact and alternating loads, and high bonding strength between the plating layer and substrate with low risk of peeling. Ultra‑thin thickness ranging from 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm is available to fit precision assembly clearance.
**Application scenarios**: Robot joints, flange connections, heavy‑duty transmission, high & low temperature environments and other scenarios requiring long‑term stable static friction.
### DLC Coating (Diamond‑Like Carbon Coating)
An amorphous carbon film formed by physical vapor deposition. It features high surface hardness and low friction coefficient, designed mainly for wear reduction. Benefits include superior surface smoothness and good self‑lubrication, suitable for sliding friction applications. However, it delivers a low static friction coefficient and poor impact resistance. Thick coatings tend to delaminate and the processing cost is relatively high.
**Application scenarios**: Precision bearings, pistons, cutting tools and other sliding wear‑resistant scenarios. Not suitable for connection conditions where static friction and anti‑slip performance against micro‑slip are the primary requirements.
### Traditional Serrated Washers
They adopt mechanically stamped tooth‑shaped interlocking structures and achieve anti‑loosening by tooth embedding. Advantages are low cost and easy installation. Nevertheless, they will damage mating surfaces and cause concentrated contact stress, easily resulting in indentation and deformation of the base material. Their anti‑loosening performance degrades rapidly after long‑term service, so they are not applicable for working conditions demanding high precision and flatness.
**Application scenarios**: Ordinary heavy‑duty flanges, building structures and other connections with low requirements for surface precision.
### Ordinary Flat Metal Washers
They only serve to fill gaps and adjust assembly dimensions. With a low static friction coefficient and weak anti‑loosening & anti‑slip capacity, they are generally used together with bolts as basic assembly accessories and cannot solve micro‑slip and preload attenuation issues.
*DAOLER Diamond Friction Shims*
## II. Core Selection Criteria
- If the core requirement is preventing micro‑slip, maintaining preload and boosting static friction: Prioritize friction shims with diamond nickel‑phosphorus composite plating.
- If the core requirement is sliding wear resistance and reduced friction coefficient: Prioritize DLC coating solutions.
- For cost‑sensitive applications with low precision requirements and acceptable mating surface damage: Serrated washers can be adopted.
- If only dimensional compensation is needed with no anti‑loosening or anti‑slip requirements: Ordinary flat washers are sufficient.
DAOLER Diamond Friction Shims focus on static friction positioning and micro‑slip prevention. DLC coatings cater to different working condition demands. There is no absolute substitution relationship between them; the solution shall be matched according to the core pain points of equipment.
## I. Core Differences Among Four Main Friction‑increasing Solutions
### Diamond Nickel‑Phosphorus Composite Plating (DAOLER Friction Shims)
Diamond particles are uniformly anchored onto the metal substrate via electroless plating to form a hard, high‑friction composite layer. Its key advantages include a high static friction coefficient (0.6–0.8), strong resistance to impact and alternating loads, and high bonding strength between the plating layer and substrate with low risk of peeling. Ultra‑thin thickness ranging from 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm is available to fit precision assembly clearance.
**Application scenarios**: Robot joints, flange connections, heavy‑duty transmission, high & low temperature environments and other scenarios requiring long‑term stable static friction.
### DLC Coating (Diamond‑Like Carbon Coating)
An amorphous carbon film formed by physical vapor deposition. It features high surface hardness and low friction coefficient, designed mainly for wear reduction. Benefits include superior surface smoothness and good self‑lubrication, suitable for sliding friction applications. However, it delivers a low static friction coefficient and poor impact resistance. Thick coatings tend to delaminate and the processing cost is relatively high.
**Application scenarios**: Precision bearings, pistons, cutting tools and other sliding wear‑resistant scenarios. Not suitable for connection conditions where static friction and anti‑slip performance against micro‑slip are the primary requirements.
### Traditional Serrated Washers
They adopt mechanically stamped tooth‑shaped interlocking structures and achieve anti‑loosening by tooth embedding. Advantages are low cost and easy installation. Nevertheless, they will damage mating surfaces and cause concentrated contact stress, easily resulting in indentation and deformation of the base material. Their anti‑loosening performance degrades rapidly after long‑term service, so they are not applicable for working conditions demanding high precision and flatness.
**Application scenarios**: Ordinary heavy‑duty flanges, building structures and other connections with low requirements for surface precision.
### Ordinary Flat Metal Washers
They only serve to fill gaps and adjust assembly dimensions. With a low static friction coefficient and weak anti‑loosening & anti‑slip capacity, they are generally used together with bolts as basic assembly accessories and cannot solve micro‑slip and preload attenuation issues.
*DAOLER Diamond Friction Shims*
## II. Core Selection Criteria
- If the core requirement is preventing micro‑slip, maintaining preload and boosting static friction: Prioritize friction shims with diamond nickel‑phosphorus composite plating.
- If the core requirement is sliding wear resistance and reduced friction coefficient: Prioritize DLC coating solutions.
- For cost‑sensitive applications with low precision requirements and acceptable mating surface damage: Serrated washers can be adopted.
- If only dimensional compensation is needed with no anti‑loosening or anti‑slip requirements: Ordinary flat washers are sufficient.
DAOLER Diamond Friction Shims focus on static friction positioning and micro‑slip prevention. DLC coatings cater to different working condition demands. There is no absolute substitution relationship between them; the solution shall be matched according to the core pain points of equipment.
