• KSTLE International Journal
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.33-38
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• 2005

Submicron-scale patterns made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) were fabricated on silicon-wafer using a capillarity-directed soft lithographic technique. Polyurethane acrylate (PUA) stamps (Master molds) were used to fabricate the patterns. Patterns with three different aspect ratios were fabricated by varying the holding time. The patterns fabricated were the negative replica of the master mold. The patterns so obtained were investigated for their adhesion and friction properties at nano-scale using AFM. Friction tests were conducted in the range of 0-80 nN. Glass (Borosilicate) balls of diameter 1.25 mm mounted on cantilever (Contact Mode type NPS) were used as tips. Further, micro-friction tests were performed using a ball-on-flat type micro-tribe tester, under reciprocating motion, using a soda lime ball (1 mm diameter) under a normal load of 3,000 mN. All experiments were conducted at ambient temperature ($24{\pm}1^{\circ}C$) and relative humidity ($45{\pm}5\%$). Results showed that the patterned samples exhibited superior tribological properties when compared to the silicon wafer and non-patterned sample (PMMA thin film) both at the nano and micro-scales, owing to their increased hydrophobicity and reduced real area of contact. In the case of patterns it was observed that their morphology (shape factor and size factor) was decisive in defining the real area of contact.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.51-57
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• 2004

Micro/nano adhesion and friction properties of mixed self-assembled monolayer (SAM) with different chain length for MEMS application were experimentally studied. Many kinds of SAM having different spacer chains(C6, C10 and C18) and their mixtures (1:1) were deposited onto Si-wafer, where the deposited SAM resulted in the hydrophobic nature. The adhesion and friction properties between tip and SAM surfaces under nano scale applied load were measured using an atomic force microscope (AFM) and under micro scale applied load were measured using ball-on-flat type micro-tribotester. Surface roughness and water contact angles were measured with SPM (scanning probe microscope) and contact anglemeter. Results showed that water contact angles of mixed SAMs were similar to those of pure SAMs. The morphology of coating surface was roughened as mixing of SAM. Nano adhesion and nano friction decreased as increasing of the spacer chain length and mixing of SAM. Micro friction was decreased as increasing of the spacer chain length, but micro friction of mixed SAM showed the value between pure SAMs. Nano adhesion and friction mechanism of mixed SAM was proposed in a view of stiffness of spacer chain modified chemically and topographically.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.43-48
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• 2023

In this study, we investigate the tribological behavior of AISI 304 stainless steel pairs under deionized water and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) water dispersion lubrication. The specimen friction and wear properties are evaluated using a reciprocating ball-on-flat tribometer. The coefficient of friction remains nearly constant throughout the test under both lubricant conditions. The wear depth of the specimens under h-BN lubrication is smaller than that under deionized water lubrication, indicating the inhibition behavior of h-BN nanolubricants on direct metal-metal contacts. Optical micrographs and stylus profilometer measurements are performed to evaluate the severity of damage caused by the sliding motion and to determine the wear morphology of the specimens, respectively. The results show that h-BN nanolubricants does not have a significant effect on the friction behavior but demonstrates reduced wear owing to their trapping effect between the sliding interfaces. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy images of the specimens were acquired to confirm the trapping effect of h-BN between the sliding interfaces. The results also suggest that the trapped lubricants can distribute the contact pressure, reducing the wear damage caused by the metal-metal contact at the interface. In conclusion, h-BN nanolubricants have potential as an anti-wear additive for lubrication applications. Further investigation is needed to provide direct evidence of the trapping effect of h-BN nanoparticles between the sliding interfaces. These findings could lead to the development of more efficient and effective lubricants for various industrial applications.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.146-155
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• 2014

In this study, we conduct fretting corrosion tests on tin-plated brass coupons to investigate the effect of temperature on fretting corrosion for various span amplitudes. We prepare a coupled fretting corrosion specimens using a tin-plated brass coupon with a thickness of $10{\mu}m$. One specimen is a flat coupon and the other specimen is a coupon with a protuberance in 1 mm radius, which is produced using 2 mm diameter steel ball. We conduct fretting corrosion tests at $25^{\circ}C$, $50^{\circ}C$, $75^{\circ}C$, $100^{\circ}C$ by rubbing the coupled coupons together at the contact between the flat and protuberance coupons. We measure electric resistance of the contact during the fretting corrosion test period. There is increase in resistance with fretting cycles. It is found that rate of increase in electric resistance becomes faster with increase in testing temperature. Magnitude of friction coefficient increases with fretting span amplitudes. And, change in friction coefficient becomes desensitized to the increment in span amplitude. Assuming that failure cycle is the cycle with an electric resistance of $0.01{\Omega}$, we find that failure lifetime ($N_f$) decreases with increase in testing temperature. Furthermore, based on the assumption that the damage rate of the connector is inversely related to the failure cycle, we calculate the activation energy for fretting damage to be 13.6 kJ/mole by using the Arrhenius equation. We propose a method to predict failure cycle at different temperatures for span amplitudes below $30{\mu}m$. Friction coefficients generally increase with increase in span amplitude and decrease in testing temperature.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.107-113
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• 2005

Micro/nano adhesion and friction properties of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) with different head- and end-group were experimentally studied according to the coating methods. Various kinds of SAM having different spacer chains (C10 and C18), head-group and end-group were deposited onto Si-wafer by dipping and chemical vapour deposition (CVD) methods under atmospheric pressure, where the deposited SAM resulted in the hydrophobic nature. The adhesion and friction properties between tip and SAM surfaces under nano scale applied load were measured using an atomic force microscope (AFM) and also those under micro scale applied load were measured using a ball-on-flat type micro-tribotester. Surface roughness and water contact angles were measured with SPM (scanning probe microscope) and contact anglemeter respectively. Results showed that water contact angles of SAMs with the end-group of fluorine show higher relatively than those of hydrogen. SAMs with the end-group of fluorine show lower nano-adhesion but higher micro/nanofriction than those with hydrogen. Water contact angles of SAMs coated by CVD method show high values compared to those by dipping method. SAMs coated by CVD method show the increase of nano-adhesion but the decrease of nano-friction. Nano-adhesion and friction mechanism of SAMs with different end-group was proposed in a view of size of fluorocarbon molecule.

• KSTLE International Journal
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.14-17
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• 2006

In this paper, we report on the replication of surface topography of natural leaf of Lotus onto thin polymeric films using a capillarity-directed soft lithographic technique. PDMS molds were used to replicate the surface. The replication was carried out on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) film coated on silicon wafer. The patterns so obtained were investigated for their friction properties at micro-scale using a ball-on-flat type micro-tribo tester, under reciprocating motion. Soda lime balls (1 mm diameter) were used as counterface sliders. Friction tests were conducted at a constant applied normal load of $3000{\mu}N$ and speed of 1mm/s. All experiments were conducted at ambient temperature ($24{\pm}1^{\circ}C$) and relative humidity ($45{\pm}5%$). Results showed that the patterned samples exhibited superior tribological properties when compared to the silicon wafer and non patterned sample (PMMA thin film). The reduced real area of contact projected by the surfaces was the main reason for their enhanced friction property.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.56-63
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• 2003

Micro/nano adhesion and friction properties of mixed self-assembled monolayer (SAM) with different chain length for MEMS application were experimentally studied. Many kinds of SAM having different spacer chains(C6, C10 and C18) and their mixtures (1:1) were deposited onto Si-wafer, where the deposited SAM resulted in the hydrophobic nature. The adhesion and friction properties between tip and SAM surfaces under nano scale applied load were measured using an atomic force microscope (AFM) and micro scale applied load were measured using ball-on-flat type micro-tribotester. Surface roughness and water wetting angles were measured with SPM (scanning probe microscope) and contact anglemeter. Results showed that wetting angles of mixed SAMs showed the similar value of pure SAMs. The coating surface morphology was increased as mixing of SAM. Nano adhesion and nano friction decreased as increasing of the spacer chain length and mixing of SAM. Micro friction was decreased as increasing of the spacer chain, but micro friction of mixed SAM showed the value between pure SAMs. Nano adhesion and friction mechanism of mixed SAM was proposed in a view of stiffness of spacer chain modified chemically and topographically.