Effect of velocity and interference depth on the tribological properties of alumina sliding with Cu: A molecular dynamics simulation

Highlights: • The tribological properties of Cu and Al₂O₃ was studied by molecular dynamics simulations. • Both friction and normal force increased with an increasing velocity and interference depth. • Wear rate increased with an increasing interference depth. • The adhesive wear mechanism dominated the wear process observed from the dynamic evolution of interface. • This study will provide a theoretical guidance for exploring the wear mechanism of USM from a nanoscale. The friction performance of alumina sliding against copper was studied by molecular dynamics simulation to understand the wear mechanism of ultrasonic motors (USM) from an atomic dimension. Importantly, the influence of velocity and interference depth on the nanotribological properties of Cu-Al₂O₃ was studied. The simulated results showed that both friction and normal force increased with an increasing velocity and interference depth. Wear rate also increased with an increasing interference depth. The adhesive wear mechanism dominated the wear process of interface. This study will provide a theoretical guidance for exploring the wear mechanism of USM from a nanoscale.