Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-vdxz6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T15:17:29.407Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Fundamentals of Tribology at the Atomic Level

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2011

John Ferrante
Affiliation:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lewis Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Rd, Cleveland, Ohio 44135
Stephen V. Pepper
Affiliation:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lewis Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Rd, Cleveland, Ohio 44135
Get access

Abstract

Tribology, the science and engineering of solid surfaces in moving contact, is a field that encompasses many disciplines: solid state physics, chemistry, materials science, and mechanical engineering. In spite of the practical importance and maturity of the field, the fundamental understanding of basic phenomena has only recently been attacked. In this paper we will attempt to define some of these problems and indicate some profitable directions for future research. We make three broad classifications: (1) fluid properties--compression, rheology, additives and particulates; (2) material properties of the solids--deformation, defect formation and energy loss mechanisms; and (3) interfacial properties--adhesion, friction chemical reactions, and boundary films. Research in the categories has traditionally been approached by considering macroscopic material properties. Recent activity has shown that some issues can be approached at the atomic level: that is, the atoms in the materials can be manipulated both experimentally and theoretically, and can produce results related to macroscopic phenomena. This experimental and theoretical activity is reviewed and related to the traditional research areas.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1989

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Tabor, D., in “Tribology in the 80's,” Vol. I, NASA CP-2300-VOL-l, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC, 1984, pp. 117.Google Scholar
2. Mate, C.M., G.M. McClelland, Erlandsson, R., Chiang, S., Phys. Rev. Lett. 59, 1942 (1987).Google Scholar
3. Binnig, G., Quate, C.V., Gerber, C., Phys. Rev. Lett. 56, 930 (1986).Google Scholar
4. Israelachvili, J.N., McGuiggan, P.M., Homola, A.M., Science 240, 189 (1988).Google Scholar
5. Tabor, S.D., in “Microscopic Aspects of Adhesion and Lubrication,” Georges, J.M., ed., Elsevier, New York, 1982, pp. 651682.Google Scholar
6. Hamrock, B.J., Dowson, D., “Ball Bearing Lubrication: The Elastohydrodynamics of Elliptical Contacts,” John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1981.Google Scholar
7. Hirth, J.P., and Loth, J., “Theory of Dislocations,” 2nd ed., John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1982.Google Scholar
8. Vinet, P., Ferrante, J., Smith, J.R., and Rose, J.H., J. Phys. C 19, L467 (1986).Google Scholar
9. Jacobson, B.O., and Vinet, P., J. Tribology, 109, 709 (1987).Google Scholar
10. Vinet, P., Ph.D. Dissertation, Ecole Centrale de Lyon, ECL 86-15, Lyon, France, 1986. (NASA TT-20007.)Google Scholar
11. Pepper, S.V., J. Appl. Phys. 45, 2947 (1974).Google Scholar
12. Wheeler, D.R.., J. Appl. Phys. 47, 1123 (1976).Google Scholar
13. Pepper, S.V., J Appl. Phys. 50, 8062 (1979).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
14. Pepper, S.V., J. Appl. Phys. 47, 2579 (1976).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15. Pepper, S.V., J. Vac. Sci. Technol. 20, 643 (1982).Google Scholar
16. Pollock, H.M., and Chowdhury, S.K.R., in “Microscopic Aspects of Adhesion and Lubrication,” Georges, J.M., ed., Elsevier, New York, 1982, pp. 253262.Google Scholar
17. Maugis, D., Desalos-Andarelli, G, Heurtel, A., Courtel, R., ASLE Trans. 21, 1 (1977).Google Scholar
18. Georges, J.M., Meille, G., Loubet, J.L., and Tolen, A.M., Nature 320, 342 (1986).Google Scholar
19. Georges, J.M., and Meille, G., in “Proceedings of the JSLE International Tribology Conference,” Vol. 3, Japan Society of Lubrication Engineers, Tokyo, Japan, 1985, pp. 885890.Google Scholar
20. Georges, J.M., Meille, G., and Tolen, A.M., Compte Rendus Acad. Sc. Paris, Series II, 302, 145 (1986).Google Scholar
21. Pepper, S.V., and Buckley, D.H., NASA TN D-6497, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC, 1971.Google Scholar
22. Ferrante, J., and Smith, J.R., Phys. Rev. B 31, 3427 (1985).Google Scholar
23. Smith, J.R., Gay, J.G., and Arlinghouse, F.J., Phys. Rev. B 21, 2201 (1980).Google Scholar
24. Payne, M.C., Bristow, P.D., and Johannapoulis, J.D., Phys. Rev. Lett. 58, 1348 (1987).Google Scholar
25. Car, R., and Parrinello, M., Phys. Rev. Lett. 55, 2471 (1985).Google Scholar
26. Clarke, D.R., and Wolf, D., Mater. Sci. Eng. 83, 197 (1986).Google Scholar
27. Smith, J.R., and Ferrante, J., Phys. Rev. B 34, 2238 (1986).Google Scholar
28. Foiles, S.M., Baskes, M.I., and Daw, M.S., Phys. Rev. B 33, 7983 (1986).Google Scholar
29. Smith, J.R., and Banerjea, A., Phys. Rev. Lett. 59, 2451 (1987).Google Scholar
30. Smith, J.R., and Banerjea, A., J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A 6, 812 (1988).Google Scholar
31. Ferrante, J., Bozzolo, G.M., Finley, C.W., and Banerjea, A., in “Adhesion in Solids,” Mattox, D.M., Batich, C., Baglin, J.E.E., and Gottschall, R.J., eds., Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. Vol. 119, Material Research Society, Pittsburgh, PA, 1988, pp. 316.Google Scholar
32. Landman, U., and Luditke, D.L., Final Program, 35th Nat. Symp. of the Am. Vac. Soc., Abstract TC3-MoA4, 61 (1988).Google Scholar
33. Tonck, A., Private Communication, Ecole Centrale de Lyon, Lyon, France.Google Scholar