Dislocation mediated plastic deformation decisively influences the friction coefficient and the microstructural changes at many metal sliding interfaces during tribological loading. This work explores the initiation of a tribologically induced microstructure in the vicinity of a copper twin boundary. Two distinct horizontal dislocation traces lines (DTL) are observed in their interaction with the twin boundary beneath the sliding interface. DTL formation seems unaffected by the presence of the twin boundary but the twin boundary acts as an indicator of the occurring deformation mechanisms. Three concurrent elementary processes can be identified: simple shear of the subsurface area in sliding direction, localized shear at the primary DTL and crystal rotation in the layers above and between the DTLs around axes parallel to the transverse direction. Crystal orientation analysis demonstrates a strong compatibility of these proposed processes. Quantitatively separating these different deformation mechanisms is crucial for future predictive modeling of tribological contacts.

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The influence of solid solution strengthening on the evolution of the microstructure under cyclic dry sliding is still not fully rationalized. One reason is that alloying needed for solid solution strengthening alters the stacking fault energy at the same time and, hence, the mode of dislocation slip in face-centered cubic metals and alloys. Both aspects determine the details of plastic deformation and, therefore, lead to different results under tribological load. A series of Cu-Mn alloys was investigated in the present investigation, which exhibit wavy slip mode and an almost constant stacking fault energy over a wide solute concentration range. Solid solution strengthening is the main contribution to the hardness in these alloys. The sole impact of changing strength and hardness on the tribological response along with microstructure evolution during tribological load is assessed. After the reciprocating, tribological loading a linear correlation between the wear track width and hardness could be ascertained. Electron microscopy reveals a horizontal discontinuity of the dislocation structure beneath the surface in all alloys at a similar depth. An evaluation of the Hamiltonian elastic stress field model indicates that the depth of the dislocation feature after one sliding pass correlates with the stress distribution as well as the critical stress for dislocation motion. The subsurface microstructure features a transition from the dislocation feature to subgrain formation after about five to ten 2 cycles. Beyond ten cycles, oxide clusters are formed on the sliding surface and the grains elongate in the sliding direction.