Multibond Dynamics of Nanoscale Friction: The Role of Temperature

Barel I, Urbakh M, Jansen L, Schirmeisen A

Abstract

The main challenge in predicting sliding friction is related to the complexity of highly nonequilibrium processes, the kinetics of which are controlled by the interface temperature. Our experiments reveal a nonmonotonic enhancement of dry nanoscale friction at cryogenic temperatures for different material classes. Concerted simulations show that it emerges from two competing processes acting at the interface: the thermally activated formation as well as rupturing of an ensemble of atomic contacts. These results provide a new conceptual framework to describe the dynamics of dry friction.