Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Atomic-scale Deformation and Fracture of Frictional Surfaces

A molecular dynamics simulation is used to investigate the atomic-scale friction generated between two solid surfaces sandwiching a solid thin film. We examine the influence of temperature, load, film thickness and shape of the interatomic potentials on dynamic properties of atoms at the interfaces of the sliding contact surfaces which undergo plastic deformation. The results of the simulations show that the deformation patterns of the two solid surfaces and the force due to frictional sliding depend on the mobility of the thin film and on the temperature. We also find that the film mobility decreases with an increase in the load when the film thickness is small. Moreover, we show that the relationship between the friction coefficient and the temperature in this friction model might be described by the Arrhenius model.