A fractal view on running-in process: taking steel-on-steel tribo-system as an example

Abstract

Purpose Running-in is a transient process prior to steady state and of great importance for mechanical performance. To reveal the fractal behavior in the running-in process, the steel-on-steel friction and wear tests were performed. Design/methodology/approach The friction coefficient, friction temperature, friction noise and vibration were recorded, and the surface profile of lower sample was measured on line. The signals and profiles were characterized by correlation dimension and box-counting dimension, respectively. Findings The signals have the consistent fractal evolvement law, that is, the correlation dimension increases and tends to a stable value. The box-counting dimension of one surface becomes close to that of the other surface. The running-in process can be interpreted as a process in which the fractal dimension of friction signals increases, and the counter surfaces spontaneously adapt to and modify each other to form a spatial ordered structure. Originality/value The results reveal the running-in behavior from a new perspective.