Lubricated Friction of Rubber. III. Components of Friction in Mating Surfaces

Abstract

Abstract Friction is usually discussed in terms of contributions from two processes: deformation and adhesion. This terminology has been retained in discussions of lubricated friction of rubber although there is not apparent any clear mechanism by which adhesion might occur. Our study of wet friction leads us to suggest that the components making up frictional resistance to sliding might more appropriately be referred to as deformation and abrasive components. On this basis, there is an obvious mechanism for both processes, and some of the disagreements about interpretation of certain experimental results may be resolved. The basis for our interpretation is implicit in the literature but was originally expressed somewhat tentatively and has not been restated in recent discussions. Greenwood and Tabor pointed out that hysteretic losses make an important contribution to friction of rubber sliding on a lubricated surface and that this contribution is independent of asperity size or distribution so long as only the asperities support the load and the radius of curvature at the asperity tip is above a critical limit which is remarkably low. Further, the experiments of Sabey showed that it was difficult to obtain coefficients higher than 0.4 with spherical sliders. Mean average local pressures high enough to give high friction coefficients could be obtained only with sharp asperities. In the laboratory experiment these were cones. Greenwood and Tabor found that with these damage to the rubber becomes visible at just the semiangle at which the coefficient began to rise abruptly (Figure 1). It is entirely reasonable to call the process causing this damage abrasive friction.