The Friction and Wear of Nongraphitic Carbons

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Abstract
The friction and wear behavior of hard, nongraphitic carbons sliding against themselves has been studied over a wide range of sliding conditions. Transitions to high friction and wear occur at critical combinations of loads, speeds, and ambient temperatures, but the associated contact temperatures are much higher (>500 C) than those found earlier for graphitic materials (≃150C). In conditions of sliding less severe than those initiating transitions, the coefficients of friction and rates of wear vary appreciably with time, speed, and temperature. Large transient fluctuations in friction can also occur, and these appear to arise mainly from small misalignments of the surfaces induced mechanically or thermally. Explanations of the various trends and phenomena observed are suggested in terms of the relative roles of adhesion, deformation, and surface film formation in the friction and wear processes.