Thermally activated friction

The temperature dependence of the kinetic friction between a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite surface and a silicon nitride probe tip has been evaluated through atomic force microscopy measurements performed under an ultra-high vacuum environment over the temperature range 140-750 K. As temperature increases from 140 to 400 K a sharp decrease in friction is observed. A relatively weaker dependence on temperature is observed in the friction measured between 400 and 750 K. Collectively, these results obtained from a fundamental interface are consistent with an activated mechanism of energy dissipation during sliding.