Different instruments are needed to study the interaction of contact surfaces at different length scales. Tribometers measure the coefficient of friction but they cannot image the microscale or nanoscale contact area. Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) techniques can image surfaces at smaller scales but they do not enable tests to be performed with probe materials (e.g., steel) and properties (e.g., roughness) needed to represent many important, realistic tribological applications. Removing a sample to change instruments can expose the region of interest to environmental contaminants, and can lead to changes in the physical and chemical properties of the sliding zone.

The device combines a tribometer’s ability to measure friction phenomena with relevant materials and surface topographies, with an AFM probe’s ability to directly image the topology of surfaces with nanometer resolution.

A device was developed that combines a tribometer’s ability to measure friction phenomena with relevant materials and surface topographies, with an AFM probe’s ability to directly image the topology of surfaces with nanometer resolution (see figure). In this way, the macroscale and nanoscale interactions can be studied simultaneously with the same device, without the need to change instruments or expose the sample to the environment.

Other devices that seek to provide the same capabilities use laser interferometry, which does not provide accurate three-dimensional topographic information and does not work well with optically transparent materials. The new device, however, directly images the contact region using an AFM technique, providing resolution on the order of 10 nm. This permits, for example, the rapid formation and characterization of tribofilms under realistic surface roughness and material conditions.

The device enables operation at temperatures up to 250 °C and pressures up to 1 GPa for real-world applications. Any probe and substrate material, such as steel-on-steel, can be used. This enables the study of a wide variety of technologically relevant material pairs.

For more information, contact Ryne DuBose at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; 215-746-8107.