Multibond dynamics of nanoscale friction: the role of temperature.
The main challenge in predicting sliding friction is related to the complexity of highly nonequilibrium processes, the kinetics of which are controlled by the interface temperature. Our experiments reveal a nonmonotonic enhancement of dry nanoscale friction at cryogenic temperatures for different material classes. Concerted simulations show that it emerges from two competing processes acting at the interface: the thermally activated formation as well as rupturing of an ensemble of atomic contacts. These results provide a new conceptual framework to describe the dynamics of dry friction.
Barel
Itay
I
School of Chemistry, Tel Aviv University, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel.
Urbakh
Michael
M
Jansen
Lars
L
Schirmeisen
André
A
D003198:Computer Simulation; D003460:Crystallization; D017276:Friction; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors