Numerical investigation of sliding friction behaviour and mechanism of engineering surfaces

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the sliding friction behaviour and mechanism of engineering surfaces.

Design/methodology/approach

A new numerical approach is proposed. This approach derives the macroscale friction coefficient from microscale asperity interactions. By applying this approach, the sliding friction behaviour under different operating conditions were investigated in terms of molecular and mechanical components.

Findings

Numerical results demonstrate an independent relationship between normal load and friction coefficient, which is governed by the saturated plastic ratio. Numerical results also demonstrate that under very small load, an increase in load increases the friction coefficient. In addition, numerical results confirm the existence of optimal surface roughness where the friction coefficient is the lowest. For the surface profiles used in the current calculation, an optimal surface roughness value is obtained as Rq = 0.125 μm.

Originality/value

This new approach characterizes the deterministic relationship between macroscale friction coefficient and microscale asperity molecular/mechanical interactions. Numerical results facilitate the understanding of sliding friction mechanism.

Citation

Zhang, X. and Zhang, Y. (2019), "Numerical investigation of sliding friction behaviour and mechanism of engineering surfaces", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 71 No. 2, pp. 205-211. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-03-2018-0117