scholarly journals The mechanics of snow friction as revealed by micro-scale interface observations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Lever ◽  
Susan Taylor ◽  
Arnold Song ◽  
Zoe Courville ◽  
Ross Lieblappen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Melting Point ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Real Contact Area ◽  
Kinetic Friction ◽  
Low Friction ◽  
Dominant Mechanism ◽  
Micro Scale ◽  
Real Contact ◽  
Dry Contact ◽  
Air Pockets

The mechanics of snow friction are central to competitive skiing, safe winter driving and efficient polar sleds. For nearly 80 years, prevailing theory has postulated that self-lubrication accounts for low kinetic friction on snow: dry-contact sliding warms snow grains to the melting point, and further sliding produces meltwater layers that lubricate the interface. We sought to verify that self-lubrication occurs at the grain scale and to quantify the evolution of real contact area to aid modeling. We used high-resolution (15 μm) infrared thermography to observe the warming of stationary snow under a rotating polyethylene slider. Surprisingly, we did not observe melting at contacting snow grains despite low friction values. In some cases, slider shear failed inter-granular bonds and produced widespread snow movement with no persistent contacts to melt (μ < 0.03). When the snow grains did not move and persistent contacts evolved, the slider abraded rather than melted the grains at low resistance (μ < 0.05). Optical microscopy revealed that the abraded particles deposited in air pockets between grains and thereby carried heat away from the interface, a process not included in current models. Overall, our results challenge whether self-lubrication is indeed the dominant mechanism underlying low snow kinetic friction.

scholarly journals The mechanics of snow friction as revealed by micro-scale interface observations

2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (243) ◽  
pp. 27-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
JAMES H. LEVER ◽  
SUSAN TAYLOR ◽  
ARNOLD J. SONG ◽  
ZOE R. COURVILLE ◽  
ROSS LIEBLAPPEN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Melting Point ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Real Contact Area ◽  
Kinetic Friction ◽  
Low Friction ◽  
Dominant Mechanism ◽  
Micro Scale ◽  
Real Contact ◽  
Dry Contact ◽  
Air Pockets

ABSTRACTThe mechanics of snow friction are central to competitive skiing, safe winter driving and efficient polar sleds. For nearly 80 years, prevailing theory has postulated that self-lubrication accounts for low kinetic friction on snow: dry-contact sliding warms snow grains to the melting point, and further sliding produces meltwater layers that lubricate the interface. We sought to verify that self-lubrication occurs at the grain scale and to quantify the evolution of real contact area to aid modeling. We used high-resolution (15 µm) infrared thermography to observe the warming of stationary snow under a rotating polyethylene slider. Surprisingly, we did not observe melting at contacting snow grains despite low friction values. In some cases, slider shear failed inter-granular bonds and produced widespread snow movement with no persistent contacts to melt (μ < 0.03). When the snow grains did not move and persistent contacts evolved, the slider abraded rather than melted the grains at low resistance (μ < 0.05). Optical microscopy revealed that the abraded particles deposited in air pockets between grains and thereby carried heat away from the interface, a process not included in current models. Overall, our results challenge whether self-lubrication is indeed the dominant mechanism underlying low snow kinetic friction.

Why is Snow Slippery? The Role of Abrasion in Snow Kinetic Friction

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Lever ◽  
Susan Taylor ◽  
Garrett Hoch ◽  
Emily Asenath-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Field Tests ◽  
Ice Crystals ◽  
Lubricant Layer ◽  
Scanning Electron Micrographs ◽  
Wear Particles ◽  
Kinetic Friction ◽  
Low Friction ◽  
Dry Contact ◽  
Theoretical Analyses

&lt;p&gt;The mechanics of snow friction are central to competitive skiing, safe winter driving, avalanche dynamics, and efficient Polar sleds. For nearly 80 years, prevailing theory has postulated self-lubrication: dry-contact sliding warms snow-grains to the melting point, and further sliding produces melt-water that lubricates the interface. We recently published micro-scale interface observations that contradicted this explanation: contacting snow grains abraded and did not melt under a polyethylene slider, despite low friction values. We obtained coordinated infrared, visible-light, and scanning-electron micrographs that confirm that the evolving shapes observed during our tribometer tests are contacting snow grains polished by abrasion, and that the wear particles can sinter together and fill the adjacent pore spaces. Furthermore, dry-contact abrasive wear reasonably predicts the evolution of snow-slider contact area, and sliding-heat-source theory confirms that contact temperatures would not reach 0&amp;#176;C during our tribometer tests. Importantly, published measurements of interface temperatures also indicate that melting did not occur during field tests on sleds and skis. We postulate that abraded ice crystals form a dry-lubricant layer that makes contacting snow-grains slippery and are currently undertaking additional observations and theoretical analyses to assess this hypothesis.&lt;/p&gt;

Asperity-Based Models of Micro-Scale Friction

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
George G. Adams
Keyword(s):  
Contact Area ◽  
Tangential Force ◽  
Scale Dependence ◽  
Real Contact Area ◽  
Nonlinear Load ◽  
Friction Forces ◽  
Micro Scale ◽  
Load Dependence ◽  
Real Contact ◽  
Asperity Contacts

As surfaces become smoother and loading forces decrease in applications such as MEMS, NEMS, and magnetic recording devices, the size and number of the asperity contacts which comprise the real contact area continues to decrease. The tangential force which is measured between two sliding bodies is the combined result of friction forces which are present in a very large number of nano and micro scale asperity contacts. Recent experiments as well as modeling have shown considerable scale-dependence and nonlinear load-dependence of the friction force. These models will be reviewed and discussed.

scholarly journals Evidence that abrasion can govern snow kinetic friction

2018 ◽  
Vol 65 (249) ◽  
pp. 68-84
Author(s):  
JAMES H. LEVER ◽  
SUSAN TAYLOR ◽  
GARRETT R. HOCH ◽  
CHARLES DAGHLIAN
Keyword(s):  
Practical Interest ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Frictional Heat ◽  
Scanning Electron Micrographs ◽  
Wear Particles ◽  
Kinetic Friction ◽  
Low Friction ◽  
Dry Contact ◽  
Lubricated Contact ◽  
Theoretical Evidence

ABSTRACTThe long-accepted theory to explain why snow is slippery postulates self-lubrication: frictional heat from sliding melts and thereby lubricates the contacting snow grains. We recently published micro-scale interface observations that contradicted this explanation: contacting snow grains abraded and did not melt under a polyethylene slider, despite low friction values. Here we provide additional observational and theoretical evidence that abrasion can govern snow kinetic friction. We obtained coordinated infrared, visible-light and scanning-electron micrographs that confirm that the evolving shapes observed during our tribometer tests are contacting snow grains polished by abrasion, and that the wear particles can sinter together and fill the adjacent pore spaces. Furthermore, dry-contact abrasive wear reasonably predicts the evolution of snow-slider contact area, and sliding-heat-source theory confirms that contact temperatures would not reach 0°C during our tribometer tests. Importantly, published measurements of interface temperatures also indicate that melting did not occur during field tests on sleds and skis. Although prevailing theory anticipates a transition from dry to lubricated contact along a slider, we suggest that dry-contact abrasion and heat flow can prevent this transition from occurring for snow-friction scenarios of practical interest.

scholarly journals Evidence that abrasion can govern snow kinetic friction

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Lever ◽  
Susan Taylor ◽  
Garrett Hoch ◽  
Charles Daghlian
Keyword(s):  
Practical Interest ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Frictional Heat ◽  
Scanning Electron Micrographs ◽  
Wear Particles ◽  
Kinetic Friction ◽  
Low Friction ◽  
Dry Contact ◽  
Lubricated Contact ◽  
Theoretical Evidence

The long-accepted theory to explain why snow is slippery postulates self-lubrication: frictional heat from sliding melts and thereby lubricates the contacting snow grains. We recently published micro-scale interface observations that contradicted this explanation: contacting snow grains abraded and did not melt under a polyethylene slider, despite low friction values. Here we provide additional observational and theoretical evidence that abrasion can govern snow kinetic friction. We obtained coordinated infrared, visible-light and scanning-electron micrographs that confirm that the evolving shapes observed during our tribometer tests are contacting snow grains polished by abrasion, and that the wear particles can sinter together and fill the adjacent pore spaces. Furthermore, dry-contact abrasive wear reasonably predicts the evolution of snow-slider contact area and sliding-heat-source theory confirms that contact temperatures would not reach 0°C during our tribometer tests. Importantly, published measurements of interface temperatures also indicate that melting did not occur during field tests on sleds and skis. Although prevailing theory anticipates a transition from dry to lubricated contact along a slider, we suggest that dry-contact abrasion and heat flow can prevent this transition from occurring for snow-friction scenarios of practical interest.

An Analytical Thermodynamic Approach to Friction of Rubber on Ice

2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-150
Author(s):  
Klaus Wiese ◽  
Thiemo M. Kessel ◽  
Reinhard Mundl ◽  
Burkhard Wies
Keyword(s):  
Coefficient Of Friction ◽  
Liquid Layer ◽  
Contact Area ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Viscous Friction ◽  
Analytical Approximation ◽  
Real Contact Area ◽  
Length Scales ◽  
Real Contact ◽  
Ice Surface

ABSTRACT The presented investigation is motivated by the need for performance improvement in winter tires, based on the idea of innovative “functional” surfaces. Current tread design features focus on macroscopic length scales. The potential of microscopic surface effects for friction on wintery roads has not been considered extensively yet. We limit our considerations to length scales for which rubber is rough, in contrast to a perfectly smooth ice surface. Therefore we assume that the only source of frictional forces is the viscosity of a sheared intermediate thin liquid layer of melted ice. Rubber hysteresis and adhesion effects are considered to be negligible. The height of the liquid layer is driven by an equilibrium between the heat built up by viscous friction, energy consumption for phase transition between ice and water, and heat flow into the cold underlying ice. In addition, the microscopic “squeeze-out” phenomena of melted water resulting from rubber asperities are also taken into consideration. The size and microscopic real contact area of these asperities are derived from roughness parameters of the free rubber surface using Greenwood-Williamson contact theory and compared with the measured real contact area. The derived one-dimensional differential equation for the height of an averaged liquid layer is solved for stationary sliding by a piecewise analytical approximation. The frictional shear forces are deduced and integrated over the whole macroscopic contact area to result in a global coefficient of friction. The boundary condition at the leading edge of the contact area is prescribed by the height of a “quasi-liquid layer,” which already exists on the “free” ice surface. It turns out that this approach meets the measured coefficient of friction in the laboratory. More precisely, the calculated dependencies of the friction coefficient on ice temperature, sliding speed, and contact pressure are confirmed by measurements of a simple rubber block sample on artificial ice in the laboratory.

Contact Analysis of Tire Tread Rubber on Flat Surface with Microscopic Roughness3

2006 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 237-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Kuwajima ◽  
M. Koishi ◽  
J. Sugimura
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Sliding Friction ◽  
Tangential Force ◽  
Partial Slip ◽  
Real Contact Area ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Real Contact ◽  
Local Slip ◽  
Tread Rubber

Abstract This paper describes experimental and analytical studies of the dependence of tire friction on the surface roughness of pavement. Abrasive papers were adopted as representative of the microscopic surface roughness of pavement surfaces. The rolling∕sliding friction of tire tread rubber against these abrasive papers were measured at low slip velocities. Experimental results indicated that rolling∕sliding frictional characteristics depended on the surface roughness. In order to examine the interfacial phenomena between rubber and the abrasive papers, real contact length, partial slip, and apparent friction coefficient under vertical load and tangential force were analyzed with two-dimensional explicit finite element analysis in which slip-velocity-dependent frictional coefficients were considered. Finite element method results indicated that the sum of real contact area and local partial slip were larger for finer surfaces under the same normal and tangential forces. In addition, the velocity-dependent friction enhanced local slip, where the dependence of local slip on surface roughness was pronounced. It proved that rolling∕sliding friction at low slip ratio was affected by local frictional behavior at microslip regions at asperity contacts.

scholarly journals Relationship between the real contact behavior and tribological characteristics of cotton fabric

Friction ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rongxin Chen ◽  
Jiaxin Ye ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Jiang Wei ◽  
Yan Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Friction Coefficient ◽  
Contact Area ◽  
Dynamic Change ◽  
Tribological Characteristics ◽  
Real Contact Area ◽  
Cotton Fibers ◽  
Friction Behavior ◽  
Contact Behavior ◽  
The Real ◽  
Real Contact

Abstract The tribological characteristics of cotton fibers play an important role in engineering and materials science, and real contact behavior is a significant aspect in the friction behavior of cotton fibers. In this study, the tribological characteristics of cotton fibers and their relationship with the real contact behavior are investigated through reciprocating linear tribotesting and real contact analysis. Results show that the friction coefficient decreases with a general increase in load or velocity, and the load and velocity exhibit a co-influence on the friction coefficient. The dynamic change in the real contact area is recorded clearly during the experiments and corresponds to the fluctuations observed in the friction coefficient. Moreover, the friction coefficient is positively correlated with the real contact area based on a quantitative analysis of the evolution of friction behavior and the real contact area at different loads and velocities. This correlation is evident at low velocities and medium load.

scholarly journals A Simple Mechanistic Model for Friction of Rough Partially Lubricated Surfaces

2021 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianluca Costagliola ◽  
Tobias Brink ◽  
Julie Richard ◽  
Christian Leppin ◽  
Aude Despois ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aluminum Alloy ◽  
Friction Coefficient ◽  
Mechanistic Model ◽  
Applied Pressure ◽  
Real Contact Area ◽  
Experimental Measurements ◽  
Dynamic Friction ◽  
Real Contact ◽  
Dynamic Friction Coefficient ◽  
Direct Measurements

AbstractWe report experimental measurements of friction between an aluminum alloy sliding over steel with various lubricant densities. Using the topography scans of the surfaces as input, we calculate the real contact area using the boundary element method and the dynamic friction coefficient by means of a simple mechanistic model. Partial lubrication of the surfaces is accounted for by a random deposition model of oil droplets. Our approach reproduces the qualitative trends of a decrease of the macroscopic friction coefficient with applied pressure, due to a larger fraction of the micro-contacts being lubricated for larger loads. This approach relates direct measurements of surface topography to realistic distributions of lubricant, suggesting possible model extensions towards quantitative predictions.

scholarly journals Estimation of real contact area during sliding friction from interface temperature

AIP Advances ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 065227
Author(s):  
Sung Keun Chey ◽  
Pengyi Tian ◽  
Yu Tian
Keyword(s):  
Contact Area ◽  
Sliding Friction ◽  
Real Contact Area ◽  
Interface Temperature ◽  
Real Contact
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