Field Equations and Surface Convection with Thermal Relaxation: Illustration for Rapid Sliding Contact

Abstract

A rigid cylinder slides without friction at constant speed on a thermoelastic half-space. Surface convection occurs, and both it and half-space exhibit thermal relaxation. An analytical solution valid near the contact zone center and for high sub-critical speeds is obtained. Its form resembles that for a half-space with surface friction but no convection. Calculations show that contact zone temperature is sensitive to sliding speed, the relaxation model for the half-space and a dimensionless convection layer constant. In particular, a half-space with one relaxation time predicts decreases in temperature; a double-relaxation time model can give increases as well.