Flake-like wear debris

Transmission electron microscopy performed on wear particles collected on the flat after the friction test reveals the presence of flake-like wear debris (Figure 3.64). EDS analyses of these flake-like debris show the presence of catalytic particles. An EELS analysis clarifies nature of the carbon constituting this debris. The peak characteristic of an sp hybridization, visible on the spectra of graphite and nanotubes, does not exist on the spectrum of the wear particles (Figure 3.65). Therefore, this flake-like wear debris is made of amorphous carbon. An EELS analysis of the peak of inelastic losses provided the evaluation of the thickness to 60 nm [40]. 

Figure 3.64 (a) TEM image of flake-like wear debris observed in wear particles after the friction test... 

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