The surface temperature of sliding solids

Abstract

The surface temperature developed at the points of rubbing contact between a metal and a transparent solid is determined by measuring the infra-red radiation transmitted through the solid. It is shown that high, fluctuating temperatures occur, and the results are in general agreement with those obtained by other physical methods. Some measurements are made of the time required for the formation and decay of the ‘hot spots’. In general, the maximum temperature rise is limited by the melting-point of the solid, but with readily oxidizable metals very high temperatures are occasionally observed because of the ‘burning’ of the metal.