ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a mesoscopic and homogenized model of wear and friction phenomena based on geometrical observations of abrasion patterns. Mild wear of rubber-like materials in frictional contact is considered through particular abrasion patterns' study. A local constitutive law is introduced within geometrical and energetic considerations. A local wear criterion is presented and two examples of wear parameters determination are presented, considering a classical phenomenological global wear model, Thomas' one. A local wear criterion was introduced, based on energetic considerations. The whole model has exactly one local degree of freedom but can be identified to any phenomenological and global wear model. Wear phenomena are essentially characterized by a loss of materials; particles are taken off a sound solid. The ridges are so deformed under the contact that they bend down, changing the local stiffness of the material.
