Physics of ice friction

Abstract

Although the study of friction has a long history, ice friction has only been investigated during the last century. The basic physical concepts underlying the different friction regimes, such as boundary, mixed, and hydrodynamic friction are also relevant to ice friction. However, these friction regimes must be described with respect to the thickness of the lubricating liquidlike layer on ice. In this review the state of knowledge on the physics of ice friction is discussed. Surface melting theories are introduced. These theories attempt to explain the existence and nature of the liquidlike surface layer on ice at any temperature and without any load applied. Pressure melting, as the long-time explanation for the ease of ice friction, is discussed, together with the prevailing theory of frictional heating. The various laboratory setups for ice friction measurements are presented as well as their advantages and disadvantages. The individual influence of the different parameters on the coefficient of ice friction is discussed; these include the effects of temperature, sliding velocity, normal force exerted by the sliding object, the contact area between ice and slider, relative humidity, and also properties of the slider material such as surface roughness, surface structure, wettability, and thermal conductivity. Finally, the most important ice friction models based on the frictional heating theory are briefly introduced and research directions on the subject of ice friction are discussed.

From ice superlubricity to quantum friction: Electronic repulsivity and phononic elasticity

“…Figure 2(b) shows that the friction coefficient of steelpin on ice-disc in 10 −10 Pa vacuum depends linearly on temperature in the regime of solid bulk phase [8] but the coefficient (inset) exhibits insignificant temperature dependence in the bulk quasisolid phase regime [9] under different conditions [10]. However, the kinetic friction coefficient between sea ice varies from 0.05 (at −20 °C ) to 0.5 (at −2 °C ) [17].…”

“…The friction coefficient is independent of the velocity when sliding occurs between natural ice surfaces. As the contacting surfaces became smoother, the kinetic friction coefficient started to depend on the velocity, as predicted by existing ice friction models [10].…”

“…The interesting historic record also dates back to 2,400 B.C. when Egyptian carvings employed water lubricant that was poured in front of a sledge to facilitate sliding [10].…”

“…In 1785, Coulomb examined five main factors for frictional resistance that involves the nature of materials in contact and their surface coatings, the extent of the contacting surface area, the normal pressure, the length of time that surfaces stay in contact, and the frictional behavior under vacuum as well as under varying ambient conditions namely temperature and humidity [10]. Besides, surface roughness, surface structure, wettability, sliding velocity, and thermal conductivity affect the friction behavior of ice.…”

“…[8], Copyright Elsevier, 2003). Inset shows friction trends in the quasisolid phase regime (258−273 K) [9] under different conditions [10]. [12].…”