Abstract

Friction is a well-known, yet little understood phenomenon in mechanical, as well as geological, systems. It not only dissipates energy, but in metals and alloys also alters surface and subsurface properties by modifying the internal structure of the material, aka its microstructure. Under tribological loading, phenomena such as dislocation self organization, grain refinement and oxidation can occur. The complete rotation of the entire subsurface parts of the materials was observed as an underlying mechanism that takes place prior to grain refinement.
In this talk, we will look at all of these phenomena, as they take place in metals and alloys. It will be shown how modern materials science tools in combination with model experiments, can illuminate basic deformation mechanisms in metallic materials subjected to a frictional shear. We will then briefly describe, how these general phenomena can also be found in ceramic materials, despite their different binding states.