Electrochemically controlled wear transitions in the tribocorrosion of ruthenium

This work presents an investigation of the tribocorrosion of ruthenium in sulphuric acid solutions. The study was focused on the effect of the electrode potential on wear of ruthenium during sliding against an inert alumina ball in a reciprocating sliding tribometer fitted with an electrochemical cell. Surface chemical and electrochemical properties were characterized using AES, XPS, SEM and electrochemical corrosion techniques.