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Contact fatigue in an alumina microcontact: A confocal laser scanning microscope study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2011

Yun Chen ,
Kaloian Koynov  and
Hans-Jürgen Butt
Yun Chen
Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institute for Polymer Research, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
Kaloian Koynov
Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institute for Polymer Research, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
Hans-Jürgen Butt*
Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institute for Polymer Research, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: butt@mpip-mainz.mpg.de
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Abstract

Using a confocal laser scanning microscope the development of stress in a micromechanical contact could be measured for ruby with a resolution of ∼1 μm. Ruby (α-Al2O3: Cr3+) spheres with radii of 75 μm were compressed quasi-statically between two sapphire (α-Al2O3) plates. While applying an increasing uniaxial load, confocal microscopy was used to record the fluorescence spectra at the contact region. The peak positions of the fluorescence spectrum shift to longer wavelengths with increasing stress. By detecting the shift in wavelength the local stress could be measured. We adopted two-photon excitation process (800 nm wavelength) to reduce background fluorescence. Loading–unloading cycles were applied with the maximal loading force increased subsequently for each of the next cycle. Progressive fatigue was observed when the load exceeded 1.1 N. As long as the load did not exceed 4 N stress-versus-load curves were still continuous and could be described by Hertz’s law with a reduced Young’s modulus or increasing damage. Once the load exceeded 4 N, spikelike decreases of the stress were observed. This indicates the formation of microcracks on the 10 μm length scale.

Keywords

FatigueCrystal
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 22 , Issue 11 , November 2007 , pp. 3196 - 3200
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2007

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