Molecular dynamics simulations of metallic friction and of its dependence on electric currents: development and first results

We have extended the HOLA molecular dynamics (MD) code to run slider-on-block friction experiments for Al and Cu. Both objects are allowed to evolve freely and show marked deformation despite the hardness difference. We recover realistic coefficients of friction and verify the importance of cold-welding and plastic deformations in dry sliding friction. Our first data also show a mechanism for decoupling between load and friction at high velocities. Such a mechanism can explain an increase in the coefficient of friction of metals with velocity. The study of the effects of currents on our system required the development of a suitable electrodynamic (ED) solver, as the disparity of MD and ED time scales threatened the efficiency of our code. Our first simulations combining ED and MD are presented.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physics

Grantor

The University of Texas at Austin

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Meintanis, Evangelos Anastasios

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Marder, Michael P., 1960-

• Metallic friction
• Electric currents
• HOLA molecular dynamics code
• Slider-on-block friction
• Coefficients of friction
• Cold-welding
• Plastic deformations
• Dry sliding friction
• Electrodynamic solver

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is held by the author. Presentation of this material on the Libraries' web site by University Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin was made possible under a limited license grant from the author who has retained all copyrights in the works.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/2152/6694

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repositories.lib.utexas.edu:2152/6694