Exceptionally high nanoscale wear resistance of a Cu47Zr45Al8 metallic glass with native and artificially grown oxide

The atomic-scale and nanoscale scratch wear resistance of a Cu47Zr45Al8 bulk metallic glass is studied in the present work using an atomic force microscopy focusing on the role of surface oxide and thermally induced changes in the glassy matrix. The wear rate is found to be significantly reduced and the wear resistance drastically improved by the formation of native and artificially grown surface oxides. This finding makes the studied alloy a very promising candidate for application as a wear resistant part in a micro-electro-mechanical device.