Abstract
Metallic glasses are promising materials for microdevices, although corrosion and friction limit their effectiveness and durability. We investigated nanoscale friction on a metallic glass in corrosive solutions after different periods of immersion time using atomic force microscopy to elucidate the influence of corrosion on nanoscale friction. The evolution of friction upon repeated scanning cycles on the corroded surfaces reveals a bilayer surface oxide film, of which the outer layer is removed by the scanning tip. The measurement of friction and adhesion allows one to compare the physicochemical processes of surface dissolution at the interface of the two layers. The findings contribute to the understanding of mechanical contacts with metallic glasses under corrosive conditions by exploring the interrelation of microscopic corrosion mechanisms and nanoscale friction.
Highlights
Metallic glasses (MGs) exhibit excellent mechanical properties including extraordinary hardness and strength [1,2]
The ZrNiTi MG in phosphate buffer is passivated spontaneously with a wide passivation region (−0.05 to 1.2 V). These results indicate a significantly higher corrosion resistance of the MG in phosphate buffer compared to NaCl solution
Our results reveal the instructive connection between nanoscale friction and surface processes on a metallic glass upon immersion in corrosive solutions
Summary
Metallic glasses (MGs) exhibit excellent mechanical properties including extraordinary hardness and strength [1,2]. MGs have emerged as novel wear-resistant materials with high potential in tribological applications [3-8]. Tao et al [3] found that Zr-based MGs present a much smaller friction coefficient than other metals under dry-sliding conditions. W-based MGs were developed whose wear resistance was demonstrated to be comparable to classical tribological ceramics [6]. Hofmann et al [7] reported that the wear resistance of CuZr-based MG gears is superior to that of high-performance steel. Metallic glasses can be formed thermoplastically in the supercooled liquid regime [9,10]. This process allows for the application of MGs in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) [11]. Microscale bearings made of Ni-based MGs lasted four times longer than those machined from sintered alloy [12]
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