A study of the nanoscale and atomic-scale wear resistance of metallic glasses

Metallic glasses are found to be applicable in micromechanical systems. When the size of the mechanical components is reduced to the micrometer and sub-micrometer level, the native surface oxide layer starts playing an important role in contact mechanical applications of metallic glasses. The nanoscale and atomic-scale scratch wear resistance of metallic glasses is studied in the present work using an atomic force microscopy at different loads. The wear rate is correlated with the properties of the metallic glasses studied and their respective surface oxides.