Atomic scale influences on the tribology of nano to meso-scale systems

Abstract

It has been known for many years that atomic scale effects can directly influence the tribological behaviour over a wide variety of contact sizes ranging from the nano-scale to macroscale. A newly developed load and depth sensing three dimensional nano-contact system has been used to investigate and experimentally characterise new ways in which atomic scale properties can influence the behaviour of nano to meso-scale contacts in room temperature ambient conditions.