Asperity level characterization of abrasive wear using atomic force microscopy

Abstract

Using an atomic force microscope, a nanoscale wear characterization method has been applied to a commercial steel substrate AISI 52100, a common bearing material. Two wear mechanisms were observed by the presented method: atom attrition and elastoplastic ploughing. It is shown that not only friction can be used to classify the difference between these two mechanisms, but also the ‘degree of wear’. Archard's Law of adhesion shows good conformity to experimental data at the nanoscale for the elastoplastic ploughing mechanism. However, there is a distinct discontinuity between the two identified mechanisms of wear and their relation to the load and the removed volume. The length-scale effect of the material's hardness property plays an integral role in the relationship between the ‘degree of wear’ and load. The transition between wear mechanisms is hardness-dependent, as below a load threshold limited plastic deformation in the form of pile up is exhibited. It is revealed that the presented method can be used as a rapid wear characterization technique, but additional work is necessary to project individual asperity interaction observations to macroscale contacts.

Measuring Rolling Friction at the Nanoscale

“…In LFM, after calibrating its torsional spring constant, a cantilever is moved laterally over a certain distance on the sample surface while keeping the normal force constant, and the cantilever’s lateral deflection under sliding is recorded to quantify friction at the contact. In the recent past, LFM has emerged as the cornerstone of the nanotribology community, providing a crucial avenue for exploring the molecular-level contact between particles and substrates in relative sliding motion and shedding light on the underlying mechanisms behind lubrication and wear. − Colloidal probe LFM furthermore enables investigations of nanoscale adhesion, friction, and contact mechanics to elucidate many fundamental questions in tribology and rheology as well as in colloidal and interface science. , The technique has also gained significant demand in various industries where understanding the forces between contacting surfaces is crucial, particularly in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), surface coatings, printing, powders, and pastes, just to name a few. , …”

Nanoscale Abrasive Wear of Polyethylene: A Novel Approach To Probe Nanoplastic Release at the Single Asperity Level

“…Thus, LFM offers nanoscale spatial resolution of friction and topography under a controlled normal load. This approach has enabled the mapping of nanoscale wear of inorganic − or carbonaceous materials but has not been widely utilized for detailed wear mechanism and rates analysis for polymers, particularly polyolefins . Furthermore, such an approach has not been used for studying photooxidized polymers.…”

Investigation of the adhesive and abrasive wear mechanisms at the atomic scale using molecular dynamic simulations

“…Therefore, understanding and recognizing wear mechanisms help to control or change the wearing from a destructive to a more permissible level. Many studies have been conducted on different wear mechanisms based on deformation states 1 such as adhesive, 2,3 abrasive, 4,5 fatigue, 6,7 and corrosive wear. 8,9 However, understanding the corresponding differences, which rely more on empirical observations and microscopic studies, are yet remained unclear.…”