Characterization of the mechanical behavior of wear surfaces on single crystal nickel by nanomechanical techniques

• Published in: Journal of materials research Vol. 24; no. 3; pp. 844 - 852
• Main Authors: Cordill, M.J., Moody, N.R., Prasad, S.V., Michael, J.R., Gerberich, W.W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, USA Cambridge University Press 01.03.2009; Springer International Publishing
• Subjects: Applied and Technical Physics; Biomaterials; Hardness; Inorganic Chemistry; Materials Engineering; Materials Science; Nanoindentation; Nanotechnology; Tribology; Hardness; Nanoindentation; Tribology
• DOI: 10.1557/jmr.2009.0075
• ISSN: 0884-2914

In ductile metals, sliding contact induces plastic deformation resulting in subsurfaces, the mechanical properties of which are different from those of the bulk. This article describes a novel combination of nanomechanical test methods and analysis techniques to evaluate the mechanical behavior of the subsurfaces generated underneath a wear surface. In this methodology, nanoscratch techniques were first used to generate wear patterns as a function of load and number of cycles using a Hysitron TriboIndenter. Measurements were made on a (001) single crystal plane along two crystallographic directions, and . Nanoindentation was then used to measure mechanical properties in each wear pattern. The results on the (001) single crystal nickel plane showed that there was a strong increase in hardness with increasing applied load that was accompanied by a change in surface deformation. The amount of deformation underneath the wear patterns was examined from focused ion beam cross-sections of the wear patterns.