Physics – Condensed Matter – Statistical Mechanics
Scientific paper
2003-06-04
Physics
Condensed Matter
Statistical Mechanics
REVTeX4, 15 pages, 11 figures. Accepted for publication in Physical Review E
Scientific paper
10.1103/PhysRevE.68.016125
The contribution of sliding-induced, atomic-scale instabilities to the kinetic friction force is investigated by molecular dynamics. For this purpose, we derive a relationship between the kinetic friction force $F_{\rm k}$ and the non-equilibrium velocity distribution $P(v)$ of the lubricant particles. $P(v)$ typically shows exponential tails, which cannot be described in terms of an effective temperature. It is investigated which parameters control the existence of instabilities and how they affect $P(v)$ and hence $F_{\rm k}$. The effects of the interfaces' dimensionality, lubricant coverage, and internal degrees of freedom of lubricant particles on $F_{\rm k}$ are studied explicitly. Among other results we find that the kinetic friction between commensurate surfaces is much more susceptible to changes in $(i)$ lubricant coverage, $(ii)$ sliding velocity, and $(iii)$ bond length of lubricant molecules than incommensurate surfaces.
Aichele Martin
Müser Martin H.
No associations
LandOfFree
Kinetic Friction and Atomistic Instabilities in Boundary-Lubricated Systems does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Kinetic Friction and Atomistic Instabilities in Boundary-Lubricated Systems, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Kinetic Friction and Atomistic Instabilities in Boundary-Lubricated Systems will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-129418