A Guide to Estimating the Friction of Rubber

Abstract

Abstract Vulcanized rubber, as a material, can exhibit extremes in friction level when utilized in all manner of mechanical devices. There is no single value of friction coefficient for a particular vulcanizate. Guidelines for estimating the friction of a rubber component can be based on the idea that the friction force will depend upon the real area of contact that the component makes with its counter-surface. That depends upon such factors as vulcanizate hardness, viscoelastic response, shape, and surface finish. The latter can influence hysteresis losses, as can asperities on the counter-surface. The friction will also depend upon the interfacial shear strength. This is related to the nature of the contact materials and is reduced in the presence of any lubricants or contaminants.