Surface structure and properties of metallic glasses

Surface state and its quality determine some important properties of metallic glasses. Control over of the nanoscale tribological behavior of metallic glasses is fundamental for their applications in micro- and nano-electromechanical devices. Owing to continuous miniaturization of these devices the mechanical contact area becomes of nanoscale, whereas the nanoscale wear resistance of metallic glasses can be improved taking into the account their surface oxides. Surface oxides also determine (bio)chemical properties of metallic glasses and alter their electrical properties. In the present paper we overview recent works on the subject and present the original research results related to the nanoscale tribological properties of metallic glasses.