Figures for “Molecular Dynamics Investigation of Sliding Damage Evolution in Silicon Nitride Bearing Balls Based on a Nano–Micro Damage Mapping Framework”

This dataset contains all figures from the associated research article entitled “A multiscale damage evolution framework for silicon nitride ceramic bearing balls under extreme operating conditions”. The figures are provided in high-resolution TIFF format (300 dpi) and are named sequentially as Figure_1.tif through Figure_9.tif. Figure 1 analyzes macroscopic scratch damage characteristics, including three-dimensional binary damage distribution and GLCM-based texture anisotropy. Figure 2 illustrates the atomic evolution mechanism of scratch damage and the cross-scale model construction from potential energy surface to space group defects. Figure 3 presents the molecular dynamics model of sliding damage in silicon nitride bearing balls with layered atomic boundary conditions. Figure 4 shows the three-stage von Mises stress evolution and atomic stress distribution, with peak stress reaching 150.3 GPa. Figure 5 depicts the nonlinear hydrostatic stress variation, revealing stress decoupling and compression-shear coupling during sliding. Figure 6 demonstrates the radial distribution function and coordination number evolution, confirming that damage remains localized at the outermost surface without amorphization. Figure 7 quantifies the S-shaped accumulation of atomic shear strain (saturating at 2.10 nm) and the increase of two-coordinated defect atoms (CN=2) from 12.6% to 13.4%. Figure 8 reveals anisotropic damage propagation: continuous radial inward closure at the top contact region versus discrete horizontal dispersion at the bottom. Figure 9 provides a comparative analysis of damage propagation patterns, showing SEM micrographs of indented pits and directional cracks alongside simulation stages (internal propagation–lateral extension–discrete peeling). All figures are original and can be reused under the CC BY 4.0 license provided the original article is cited.