Coupling Molecular Dynamics and Micromechanics for the Assessment of Friction and Damage Accumulation in Diamond-Like Carbon Thin Films under Lubricated Sliding Contacts

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This study investigated friction and wear response of Diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin films in dry and lubricated contacts using multiscale modeling. This work helps to establish the multiscale modeling and to understand and design novel DLC material solutions for various tribological applications. It is able to be published in the journal of Lubricants.

1.The parameters of FE model presented in Figure 5 should be given as Table form.

2.In the further studies, the experiments should be carried out to verify the correctness of the model.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

Thank you for your comments. We have now modified the manuscript accordingly. We added Table 1 for FE model parameters, added one reference (43th) and wrote short introduction: "

The FE model parameters are presented in Table 1, the parameters are adapted from earlier experimental work of the authors presented in detail in [3,21] with respect to the coatings characterics and in [40,43] especially with respect to the failure model The FE model parameters are presented in Table 1,221the parameters are adapted from earlier experimental work of the authors presented in detail in [3,21]222with respect to the coatings characterics and in [40,43] especially with respect to the failure model."

Thank you also for recommendation to carry out experimental work for validate the results. That is something we need to do in the future.

Sincerely Yours,

Timo Hakala

 

 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

In this study, the atomic scale mechanisms responsible for friction due to the interactions between the sliding surfaces are used to establish the friction response for the microstructure scale modelling of the DLC-coated DLC surface contacts under dry and graphene lubricated conditions. Then, at the microstructural scale the structure of the multilayer, substrate and surface topography of the DLC coating are incorporated into the study of the tribosystem behaviour. A fracture model is also included to evaluate the nucleation and growth of wear damage leading to the loss of adhesion or the failure of one of the film constituents. Indeed, the work contributes to better understanding and innovative design DLC material solutions for various tribological applications through multiscale modelling.

The work presented, in terms of planning and execution is very complete and addresses very interesting and current issues. Understanding the influence of friction on wear in lubricated contacts is extremely important to know how to overcome this problem. And MD is a crucial tool to achieve this goal. 
I recommend this manuscript to be accepted in the present form.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

Thank you for your nice comments on our work. We highly appreciate this kind of feedback.

Here is also updated version of the manuscript. Basically we added Table 1 to the manuscript based on the request by another reviewer. Modifications are marked with yellow highlight.

 

Sincerely Yours,

Timo Hakala

Author Response File: Author Response.docx