Effect of microroughness on rubber friction

Abstract

Friction was measured and analyzed for rubber belts sliding against paper and polymer film surfaces of different roughness. As expected, increased paper smoothness created an increase in the friction coefficient. However, it was found that continuous rubber usage during testing also created an increase in friction coefficient for constant surface roughness of both paper and film. This was analyzed as due to an increase in N and C values for the load‐dependent friction coefficient, μ = CW−N where W is normal load and Nmax ≈ 0.33 (papers) or Nmax ≈ 0.6 (polymer films). Using adhesion friction theory, it was shown that friction data can be fitted with a unified equation: C = μ0c−N, where μ0 = μ N = 0 and c is a constant for the rubber and belt configuration tested.

Descriptive Model of Sliding Friction Processes

“…In order to provide good contact with main surface, materials with high sliding friction coefficient have to be chosen as well as optimal pattern and size of elements which provide grip on surface. These problems are analysed by many authors in their works, for example [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. The objective of the paper is to develop the mathematical model describing sliding friction processes in order to optimize friction affecting parameters.…”