Patent ID: 6579833
Filing Date: 2003-06-17
Classification: A61F,A61L,B01J,C04B,F16C

Abstract:
An improved bearing disposed as part of a mechanical device, said mechanical device including a solid part in frictional contact with said bearing such that there is relative movement between said solid part and said bearing when the mechanical device is being operated, wherein the bearing includes a bearing surface in relative movement with respect to said solid part, said bearing surface having enhanced wear and friction properties by contacting a metal carbide, at a portion of said metal carbide that forms said bearing surface with a halogen-containing gaseous etchant having a halogen-containing gas concentration sufficient to remove metal from the metal carbide surface, at a temperature, pressure and for a time sufficient to provide said bearing surface on said metal carbide, said bearing surface having a surface gradient of hardness and Young's modulus comprising an adherent, non-spalling, non-separable, disordered carbon layer having a Raman peak intensity ratio of ID/IG of 0.80 to 1.20, cross bonded between crystallite plates on the metal carbide and having a graphitized upper bearing surface.