The origin of surface microstructure evolution in sliding friction

A typical tribologically induced microstructure displays a discontinuity parallel to the surface separating the near-surface layer from the bulk. Despite its ubiquitous observation, the origin of this layer underneath the surface remains elusive. Here, we show that already after the first loading pass a localized dislocation structure is found at a depth of 100–150 nm. This structure is linked to the inhomogeneous stress field under the moving...