Correlation between nano-scale friction and wear of boron carbide films deposited by dc-magnetron sputtering

Abstract

The analysis of friction and wear of boron carbide films scanned with a light load atomic force microscope Si3N4 tip is presented. The results show that nano-scale friction and wear are strongly correlated, and that friction decreases fast at the beginning of the scratching tests. We propose that the energy dissipated at the tip-surface interface during scanning induces the formation of a lubricant material at the surface of the boron carbide film that reduces friction.