ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the fundamental tribology of clean surfaces. The primary emphasis is on the nature and character of the metal, especially its surface energy and ductility. Also, the friction and wear mechanisms of clean, smooth surfaces are stated. Atomically clean solids will exhibit strong adhesive bonds when brought into solid-state contact. A number of bulk and surface properties of solids have been shown to affect the nature and magnitude of the adhesive bond forces that develop for solids. The tribological properties of clean, smooth, solid surfaces depend on the physical, mechanical, and metallurgical properties of the surface. In 1948, Linus Pauling formulated a resonating valence bond theory of metals and intermetallic compounds in which numerical values could be placed on the bonding character of the various transition elements.
