Title: Monocrystalline silicon subjected to multi-asperity sliding: nano-wear mechanisms, subsurface damage and effect of asperity interaction

Authors: W.C.D. Cheong, L.C. Zhang

Addresses: School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia

Abstract: Nano-sliding between two surfaces often involves the interaction of many asperities. With the aid of molecular dynamics analysis, this study uses a three-asperity model to investigate the effects of the relative orientation and position of the asperities on the nano-wear mechanism of silicon. It was found that when the first asperity has created a damaged layer, the material would deform differently under subsequent sliding. A thin amorphous layer always remains and there is also an absence of dislocations when the depth of asperity penetration is small. On the other hand, when the asperities are not traversing a damaged zone, the forces experienced by the asperities are independent of their relative positions. The results suggest that the microstructural changes are localised and the initial sliding affects the subsequent deformation over a damaged region.

Keywords: amorphous silicon; asperity interaction; cutting force; diamond cubic silicon; molecular dynamics; multi-asperity; nano-sliding; nano-wear; phase transformation; subsurface damage.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2003.002499

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2003 Vol.18 No.4/5/6, pp.398-407

Published online: 19 Jul 2003 *

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