On the Origin of Plastic Deformation and Surface Evolution in Nano-Fretting: A Discrete Dislocation Plasticity Analysis

Discrete dislocation plasticity (DDP) calculations were carried out to investigate a single-crystal response when subjected to nano-fretting loading conditions in its interaction with a rigid sinusoidal asperity. The effects of the contact size and preceding indentation on the surface stress and profile evolution due to nano-fretting were extensively investigated, with the aim to unravel the deformation mechanisms governing the response of materials subjected to nano-motion. The mechanistic drivers for the material’s permanent deformations and surface modifications were shown to be the dislocations’ collective motion and piling up underneath the contact. The analysis of surface and subsurface stresses and the profile evolution during sliding provides useful insight into damage and failure mechanisms of crystalline materials subject to nano-fretting; this can lead to improved strategies for the optimisation of material properties for better surface resistance under micro- and nano-scale contacts.