Nanoscratch in highly oriented FeSe0.5Te0.5 superconductor

► Tribological properties of FeSe0.5Te0.5 superconductor samples were investigated. ► Anisotropies of the scratch morphologies of the ab- and a(b)c-planes were observed. ► Plowing seems to be the main mechanism of scratch deformation in the ab-plane. ► Cracks were observed in the a(b)c-plane parallel to the c-axis.