Multi-spectral scanning Auger microscopy of tribological surfaces Original Research Article

The novel surface analysis technique of multi-spectral Auger microscopy (MULSAM) has been used to study simultaneously and at high resolution the chemical and topographic variations across wear scars generated with model oil formulations. This is the first time this technique has been applied to anything other than well-characterised samples from the semiconductor industry. The MULSAM image manipulations prove sufficiently robust to allow meaningful work on these extremely non-ideal specimens. The work leads to new insights into the composition and spatial distribution of anti-wear films. In particular, the results show significant correlations between the surface topography and the local chemical nature of the anti-wear film.