Fig. 1. (a) SEM morphology of 316L SS and (b) corresponding XRD pattern.

Fig. 2. (a) Schematic representation of tribometer, (b) schematic representation of the tribocorrosion protocol.

Fig. 3. Evolutions of OCP before, during and after the continuous sliding process.

Fig. 4. Variations of OCP with time recorded before, during and after sliding in intermittent mode with fixed duration time Y = 20 min and the varying sliding times X. (a) X = 20 min, (b) X = 10 min, (c) X = 5 min and (d) X = 2 min.

Fig. 5. Cross-sectional profiles of the wear track under continues friction and intermittent friction for varying tribocorrosion time X (a), corresponding calculated wear rate (b).

Fig. 6. Variations of OCP with time recorded before, during and after sliding under intermittent mode with fixed sliding time X = 2 min and the varying pause times Y. (a) Y = 20 min, (b) Y = 10 min, (c) Y = 5 min and (d) Y = 2 min.

Fig. 7. Cross-sectional profiles of the wear track under continues friction and intermittent friction for varying tribocorrosion time X (a), corresponding calculated wear rate (b).

Fig. 8. Cross-sectional morphology of wear track after tribocorrosion test (a) and locally enlarged view (b).

Fig. 9. Characterization of microstructures beneath wear track after tribocorrosion test: (a) overall view of BFTEM image, (b) locally enlarged BF image obtained in A position, (c) locally enlarged BF image obtained in B position, (d)-(f) SAED pattern and HRTEM images of A position, (g)-(i) SAED pattern and HRTEM images of B position.

Fig. 10. Indentation curves inside and outside of the wear track after tirbocorrosion test. The average calculated hardness and elastic modulus values are inserted.

Fig. 11. XPS depth profiles measured after the tribocorrosion test, (a) inside of the wear track, (b) outside of the wear track.

Fig. 12. EIS plots and fitted polarization resistance results of 316L SS before and after tribocorrosion test.

Fig. 13. Schemic illustration of evolution in OCP of 316L SS during and after sliding (a), the evolution of repassivation time and repassivation rate (K1) obtained from Fig. 4 during the intermittent tribocorrosion (b).

Fig. 14. SEM morphology of the wear track after continuous (a) and intermittent (b) tribocorrison test, local enlarged draw inside the wear track (c) and the 3D image of the wear track determined by laser optical profilometry (d), Rq=0.265 μm.

Fig. 15. Schematic interactions of different wear track characteristics during the intermittent sliding process.