Nanoscale stress evolution under tribological loads in a nanocrystalline FeCrMnNiCo high-entropy alloy

In transportation ~26% of the primary energy is wasted to overcome friction forces, highlighting the importance of understanding friction and wear. Despite the huge importance of the tribological contact problem, the nanoscale stress field emerging due to the tribological contact is experimentally unknown. The aim of this proposal is to investigate the unknown nanoscopic mechanical response to tribological loads in a nanocrystalline FeCrMnNiCo high entropy alloy and elucidate the lateral and depth-dependent nanoscopic residual stress gradient build-up and microstructural changes. With the enhanced knowledge about the intricacies of microstructural changes and residual stress gradients as well as their origin, a more holistic understanding of the tribological contact problem will be formed and in following surface structures can effectively be tailored to improve tribological properties in the future, thereby allowing to conserve energy and resources.