Nanotribology at the Solid-Liquid Interface under Controlled Conditions

Abstract

For a more thorough understanding of real tribosystems, the underlying fundamental processes have to be studied at a microscopic scale. The mechanical and chemical phenomena occurring at the contacting asperities define the resulting macroscopic friction behavior. The atmosphere surrounding the asperities is of great importance for the resulting shear strength in a sliding motion. Individual asperity contact was studied by friction force microscopy (FFM) under controlled environmental conditions. Two different experimental approaches are presented A FFM placed in a climate chamber, allowing the control of relative humidity and temperature, and a system where FFM is combined with an electrochemical set-up for controlling and deliberately modifying the interface chemistry. The results indicate a clear and systematic dependence of the nanotribological characteristics of the investigated systems upon variations of the environment conditions.