Orientation dependence of subsurface deformation in dry sliding wear of Cu single crystals

Copper single crystals grown according to the Bridgman method and having their axes [1̄1 1] or [1 1 0] aligned with the normal load axis were used for dry sliding experiments. As shown, sliding-induced severe plastic deformation occurred in the subsurface of single crystals and caused formation of a lip by mechanism of texture formation. The SEM structure of this lip was found to be composed of fragments with their shapes dependent on the single crystal orientation with respect to normal load and friction force. These fragments may be referred to as wear particles generated by shearing in planes parallel to the worn surface.