A Contribution to the Theory of Friction and Wear and the Relationship between them

Abstract

The nature of the interaction between a rigid spherical asperity and an asperity governed by the stress/strain law [Formula: see text] is studied. The interfacial shear stress is defined by f τmax where 0 < f < 1, τ maxbeing the maximum allowable shear stress at the contact. By integrating the total effect of a population of such surface asperities expressions for the total frictional forces, and the total load are derived. The value of the coefficient of friction is thus obtained and the special conditions for perfectly plastic and elastic behaviour are considered. In both cases the friction coefficient is seen to contain a term defined by the deformation and dependent on surface roughness and a term totally defined by f. Using the same model a fatigue type failure criteria is introduced to predict the volume of wear. It is then possible to produce a wear law which is consistent with experience and which includes the relationship between the wear and the coefficient of friction.