Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2025

Atomic Force Microscopy Cantilever-Based Nanoindentation: Mechanical Property Measurements at the Nanoscale in Air and Fluid
Published on: December 2, 2022
Adhesion and friction behaviors of a γ-Fe/diamond heterogeneous contact interface: a density functional theory study
Qizhen He1, Lixiang Rao1, Wenwei Song1
1State Key Laboratory of Metastable Materials Science & Technology, Hebei Key Lab for Optimizing Metal Product Technology and Performance, College of Materials Science & Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, P. R. China. qxyang@ysu.edu.cn.
Abstract:
Diamond tools play a vital role in precision machining. However, the adhesive wear restricts their application when Fe-based workpieces are cut by diamond tools. Thus, it is significant to theoretically explain the interface binding mechanism between the diamond and Fe alloy matrix. In this study, the adhesion and friction behaviors of a γ-Fe/diamond (denoted as Fe/C) heterogeneous contact interface were investigated employing density functional theory (DFT). The results show that the transfer of the Fe atom to C atom occurs when the interaction energy for a given configuration is larger than the separation energy of the corresponding Fe surface layers. The energy barriers of the Fe/C(100), (110) and (111) sliding interfaces along the minimum energy path are 1.45, 0.48 and 0.42 J m-2, respectively, indicating that the Fe/C(111) interface is the easiest to slide. Furthermore, the friction potential barrier increases with an increase in the load (1-5 nN) according to the potential energy curves. Moreover, the friction coefficient of the Fe/C interface is larger than 0.2 and provides a theoretical minimum friction coefficient for the Fe/C sliding interface.
Related Concept Videos
Frictional Force
Characteristics of Dry Friction
Before the wheelbarrow starts moving, the static frictional force acts tangentially to the contact surface, opposing the force that is about to induce the motion. This frictional force prevents the...
Dry Friction
To illustrate this concept, imagine a wooden crate resting on a rough, non-uniform horizontal surface. When an external force is applied to...
Contact Angle
The adhesive force is the molecular force between molecules of different materials, that is, between the molecules of the solid and the liquid. The cohesive...
Van der Waals Interactions
Kinetic Friction

