Abstract
The chemistry involved in tribological interactions of two rubbing solids is complicated [1,2]. Mechanical contact, deformation, and shear at the interface create dynamic and often chemically reactive conditions for the atoms at the surface and within the subsurface [1]. Unless tribological contacts are made in ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions with no molecules adsorbed on the surface, or in ultra-high purity gases with absolutely no reactive impurities, there always will be third “chemical” components involved in the tribology in addition to the two sliding and counter-sliding solid surfaces. These third components can drastically alter the tribological responses of the solid interfaces. Those are the molecules impinging onto the solid surface from the surrounding space. If a liquid lubricant is utilized to mitigate the friction and wear problems between two solid contacts, then it is obvious that the tribological interface consists of three components; that is, solid–-liquid–-solid. Even if there is no liquid lubricant added to the system, there are always molecules adsorbed onto the solid surface from the gas phase that act as a third tribological component.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Micro- and Nanoscale Phenomena in Tribology |
Publisher | CRC Press |
Pages | 153-188 |
Number of pages | 36 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781439839232 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781138072350 |
State | Published - Jan 1 2011 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- General Engineering
- General Materials Science