The use of AFM for high resolution imaging of macroscopic wear scars

• Published in: Wear Vol. 309; no. 1-2; pp. 120 - 125
• Main Authors: Wäsche, Rolf, Hartelt, Manfred, Cappella, Brunero
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.01.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Atomic force microscopy; Atomic structure; Contact of materials. Friction. Wear; Exact sciences and technology; Image acquisition; Imaging; Mechanical properties and methods of testing. Rheology. Fracture mechanics. Tribology; Metals. Metallurgy; Roughness; Scars; Stitching; Structural analysis; Wear; Wear scar; Wear volume; White light interferometry; Atomic force microscopy; Wear volume; Wear scar; White light interferometry; Imaging; Roughness; Optical interferometry; High resolution electron microscopy; Wear test; Steel; Investigation method; Sliding contact; Wear; Lubrication
• ISSN: 0043-1648; 1873-2577
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wear.2013.11.009

In this article we demonstrate the use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements for the study of macroscopic wear scars. By stitching AFM images acquired over the wear scar, the detailed structure of the scar can be characterized even when the scar is much wider than the typical maximum scan range of the AFM (50–100µm). The results obtained by AFM are compared with those yielded by white light interferometry (WLI). The comparison validates the WLI measurements; at the same time, it shows decisive differences in the resolutions of these two methods. As a consequence, AFM measurements are necessary whenever a precise characterization of the structure of the scar is required. However, since stitching of AFM images is rather time-consuming, white light interferometry is recommended as a faster method whenever experiments are aimed at just a gross characterization of the scar and the measurement of mean quantities (e.g. the wear volume). •A macroscopic wear scar was imaged by stitching AFM topography measurements with high resolution (100nm).•The morphology of different regions of the wear scar was characterized in detail.•The roughness of the wear scar was characterized in detail.•The profiles of the wear scar measured with AFM and white light interferometry are in a very good agreement.•The wear volume values determined with AFM and white light interferometry are in a very good agreement.