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Structural superlubricity in graphite flakes assembled under ambient conditions
He Deng1, Ming Ma, Yiming Song
1School of Mechanical Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, PR China.
Nanoscale
|July 19, 2018
Summary
Structural superlubricity was achieved in ambient conditions using graphite flakes. A novel running-in process removes contaminants, reducing friction without altering surface structure, enabling practical applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Tribology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Microscale structural superlubricity typically requires ultra-clean interfaces, limiting practical use.
- Previous studies focused on in-situ cleaved graphite or vacuum-assembled friction pairs.
- Ambient assembly conditions introduce unavoidable contaminants at interfaces.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate microscale structural superlubricity in graphite flake pairs assembled under ambient conditions.
- To understand the mechanism behind friction reduction in the presence of contaminants.
- To explore the potential for practical applications of superlubricity.
Main Methods:
- Assembled graphite flake friction pairs under ambient conditions.
- Observed friction behavior during reciprocating motion.
- Analyzed surface morphology and chemical composition before and after testing.
Main Results:
- Achieved microscale structural superlubricity in graphite flake pairs assembled under ambient conditions.
- Observed a novel running-in phenomenon where friction decreased with motion.
- Identified the removal of confined third bodies as the mechanism for friction reduction, with no observed morphological or chemical changes.
Conclusions:
- Microscale structural superlubricity is achievable in graphite flake pairs under ambient conditions.
- A new running-in mechanism involving third-body removal facilitates superlubricity.
- Findings enhance understanding of superlubricity and pave the way for broader practical applications.
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