U. D. Schwarz, Yale University, New Haven, CT
We discuss two sets of experiments designed to promote our atomic-scale understanding of friction: (1) we studied the frictional properties of a nanometer-sized sphere-on-plane contact (Hertzian contact), and (2) nanometer-sized antimony islands deposited on graphite and MoS2, respectively, were used as model systems to correlate friction and actual contact area.
Summary: Despite its daily-life importance, the fundamentals of friction are still poorly understood. A better understanding of the interplay between friction, adhesion, “true” contact area, and crystalline structure at the interface would assist the development of tribological coatings. This talk presents experiments designed to promote our understanding in this area.
