Problems in nanomechanics often need to combine mechanical approaches together with methods of physics and chemistry that are outside of the traditional mechanics scope. Recent experimental studies of dry sliding between two hydrogenated DLC (diamond-like carbon) coated counterparts in low oxygen environment showed that adsorbates have considerable influence on friction and the friction coefficient increases with the increasing of the time interval between contacts. The observed friction phenomena are assumed caused by a reaction between the adsorbate and carbon atoms of the coatings, and when the slider passes a point on the track, it removes mechanically some adsorbate from the surface. The mechanical action leads to reexposure of the surface to gases in the environment. This paper focuses on physical and tribochemical processes that occur in sliding contact between the DLC coated slider and the counterpart. We develop further our recently presented model of the process and assume that there is a transient short-life high temperature field at the vicinities of contacting protuberances that may cause various transformations of the surface. In particular, the phase of DLC films may transform to graphite-like carbon. Our model does not depend directly on the assumption that the adsorbate is oxygen. However, due to the prevalence of oxygen in atmospheric gas it is assumed that the adsorbate is oxygen in the model presented. We suppose that first an oxygen molecule becomes physically adsorbed to the surface and then due to rubbing the molecule dissociates into two chemically active oxygen atoms. This process leads to chemisorbtion between the carbon atoms of the coating and the “sticky” oxygen atoms. The latter atoms can interact with the counterpart. Our modeling established a direct connection between this kind of molecular friction and gradual wear. In particular, it is shown that the initial roughness of the DLC surface may have a considerable influence on the probability of breaking bonds during mechanical removal of adsorbate. Ab initio calculations of the bond dissociation energies between carbon atoms and carbon-oxygen atoms were performed using GAUSSIAN98 at the Møller-Plesset level of model chemistry. The bond dissociation energy found for the carbon-carbon bonds is , while for the carbon-oxygen bonds it is . It is assumed that carbon wear particles will not be formed during gradual degradation since the coating carbon molecules are dissolved within the environment gases. The model helps to explain how microscopic processes, such as the breaking and forming of interatomic bonds, may affect macroscopic phenomena, such as friction and wear.
Skip Nav Destination
e-mail: l-keer@northwestern.edu
Article navigation
January 2007
Technical Papers
Modeling the Tribochemical Aspects of Friction and Gradual Wear of Diamond-Like Carbon Films
Feodor M. Borodich,
Feodor M. Borodich
School of Engineering,
Cardiff University
, P.O. Box 925, Queen’s Buildings, Cardiff CF24 3AT, UK
Search for other works by this author on:
Chad S. Korach,
Chad S. Korach
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
State University of New York
, Stony Brook, NY 11794-2300
Search for other works by this author on:
Leon M. Keer
Leon M. Keer
Center for Surface Engineering and Tribology, Technological Institute,
e-mail: l-keer@northwestern.edu
Northwestern University
, Evanston, IL 60208-3109
Search for other works by this author on:
Feodor M. Borodich
School of Engineering,
Cardiff University
, P.O. Box 925, Queen’s Buildings, Cardiff CF24 3AT, UK
Chad S. Korach
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
State University of New York
, Stony Brook, NY 11794-2300
Leon M. Keer
Center for Surface Engineering and Tribology, Technological Institute,
Northwestern University
, Evanston, IL 60208-3109e-mail: l-keer@northwestern.edu
J. Appl. Mech. Jan 2007, 74(1): 23-30 (8 pages)
Published Online: December 2, 2005
Article history
Received:
July 28, 2004
Revised:
December 2, 2005
Citation
Borodich, F. M., Korach, C. S., and Keer, L. M. (December 2, 2005). "Modeling the Tribochemical Aspects of Friction and Gradual Wear of Diamond-Like Carbon Films." ASME. J. Appl. Mech. January 2007; 74(1): 23–30. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2172267
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Hamiltonian System-Based Symplectic Framework for Analytical Vibration Analysis of Microplates
J. Appl. Mech (December 2024)
Related Articles
Tribological Characteristics of DLC-Coated Alumina at High Temperatures
J. Tribol (October,2006)
Adhesion and Interface Properties of Polydopamine and Polytetrafluoroethylene Thin Films
J. Appl. Mech (December,2020)
Improving Precision in Aluminum Alloy Machining Due to the Application of Diamond-Like Carbon Thin Film
J. Tribol (July,2021)
Lubricant Performance in Magnetic Thin Film Disks With Carbon Overcoat—Part II: Durability
J. Tribol (January,1991)
Related Chapters
Surface Analysis and Tools
Tribology of Mechanical Systems: A Guide to Present and Future Technologies
Hydrogen Compatibility of Polymers for Infrastructure Applications: Friction and Wear
International Hydrogen Conference (IHC 2016): Materials Performance in Hydrogen Environments
How the Worm Gear Developed through Time
Design and Application of the Worm Gear