Paper 7: Surface Studies in the Investigation of Failure Mechanisms

Abstract

Surface effects can influence the friction and wear characteristics and the fatigue behaviour of materials, so that any investigation of these phenomena necessitates careful study of the surfaces involved. Changes in topography, chemical nature, structure, and physical properties of surfaces subjected to sliding, rolling, abrasion, corrosion, deformation and repeated stressing have been studied using optical and electron microscopy and micro-probe analysis to obtain information of use in the elucidation of failure mechanisms and their controlling factors. Specific information from each technique enables comprehensive data to be accumulated. The paper reviews work which has been carried out in recent years, mainly from the technological viewpoint.