Designing Thermomechanically Stable Nanocrystalline Alloys for Low Friction and Wear: A Perspective

DelRio, Frank W. [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)] (ORCID:0000000317278220); Knapp, Rachel A. [American Board of Medical Specialties, Chicago, IL (United States)]; Argibay, Nicolas [Ames Laboratory (AMES), Ames, IA (United States)] (ORCID:0000000264737568); Chandross, Michael [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)]; Babuska, Tomas F. [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)]; Curry, John F. [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)] (ORCID:0000000326111297)

doi:10.1021/acsami.6c04946

DOE OSTI · 3377384

Designing Thermomechanically Stable Nanocrystalline Alloys for Low Friction and Wear: A Perspective

DelRio, Frank W. [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)] (ORCID:0000000317278220)·Knapp, Rachel A. [American Board of Medical Specialties, Chicago, IL (United States)]·Argibay, Nicolas [Ames Laboratory (AMES), Ames, IA (United States)] (ORCID:0000000264737568)·Chandross, Michael [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)]·Babuska, Tomas F. [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)]·Curry, John F. [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)] (ORCID:0000000326111297)

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Abstract

In this Perspective, we discuss recent work and future trends on the usage of thermomechanically stable and selflubricating nanocrystalline (NC) alloys for low friction and wear applications. The theoretical underpinnings and mechanistic framework for attaining and maintaining low friction and wear in metal contacts are presented. Initial work on stress, time, and temperature-dependent changes in friction and wear in NC alloys validates the models, demonstrating lower friction from decreased interfacial strength, contact pressure, sliding speed, and temperature and increased roughness and material hardness. Subsequent work reveals that NC Pt−Au, metal nitrides, complex-concentrated, and high-entropy alloys come with additional stabilization factors such as low-friction carbon tribofilms and oxide/amorphous−crystalline layers but are still susceptible to destabilization factors including irradiation and adverse environmental conditions.

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DelRio, Frank W. [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)] (ORCID:0000000317278220), Knapp, Rachel A. [American Board of Medical Specialties, Chicago, IL (United States)], Argibay, Nicolas [Ames Laboratory (AMES), Ames, IA (United States)] (ORCID:0000000264737568), Chandross, Michael [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)], Babuska, Tomas F. [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)], Curry, John F. [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)] (ORCID:0000000326111297). 2026-06-11. Designing Thermomechanically Stable Nanocrystalline Alloys for Low Friction and Wear: A Perspective. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.6c04946

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