Correlation of high frequency QCM sphere-plate stiffness measurements with macroscopic frictional contacts in thin film and bulk stainless steel materials

Abstract

We compare friction coefficient values μ for stainless steel contacts, obtained directly using a ball on disk tribometer and/or a basic “da Vinci” method, with values inferred from two microscale analysis methods reported in the literature that treat the response of a Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) to rubbing contacts with one or more ball bearings. The microscale analysis methods both employ a Cattaneo-Mindlin slip scenario to relate contact stiffness to QCM response. Analysis Method 1 involves sweeps of the QCM amplitude of vibration while ball bearings are held in continuous contact with the oscillating electrode. It obtains μ from the slope of the associated frequency or bandwidth shift trace. We find that this method yields values for μ that compare favorably with macroscale values when the bandwidth dependence on vibrational amplitude is utilized. Method 2 obtains μ by analyzing the shifts in frequency and bandwidth that occur when ball bearings are brought in and out of contact with a QCM’s oscillating electrode at a fixed vibrational amplitude. We find that this method yields values for μ that compare favorably with macroscale values when the measurements are performed with a contact comprised of 3 close-packed ball bearings situated symmetrically about the center of the QCM electrode. Overall, the results validate the combination of assumptions employed in the analysis methods, and support the methods as a viable means for linkage of macro and nanoscale tribological measurements.