CPM Seminar

In situ tribometry: Third body processes at the buried interface

Richard Chromik

Materials Engineering
McGill University

The physical processes that govern friction and wear are difficult to probe due to the buried nature of sliding interfaces. In situ tribometry, using a transparent slider or counterface, provides direct observation of the dynamics of third bodies within a tribological contact. With this technique, these dynamic processes can be directly tied to in-service performance of the tribological coating. In past studies on solid lubricants, in situ tribometry showed clearly that these materials require the formation of transfer films to realize low friction and wear. In this presentation, the technique of in situ tribometry will be described and then the importance and nature of third bodies will be examined for both solid lubricant coatings and hard, protective coatings, the latter being largely unstudied by in situ methods until now.