ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a study of rubber friction on rough surfaces under different contact conditions. The frictional behaviour of rubber on rough surfaces is investigated on the basis of a recent model based on contact mechanics and hysteresis friction at fractal interfaces. The transition from wet to dry friction is then explained via an adhesion component proportional to the real area of contact. This enables aquantitative description of both the adhesion and hysteresis component of rubber friction. The approach is confirmed by a good match with experimental friction data for low sliding speeds. The theoretical and experimental developments of sliding friction on self-affine rough interfaces provide a fundamental physical background for understanding the role of hysteresis and adhesion contributions for rubber friction on dry and lubricated rough interfaces. A good agreement can be observed between the simulated hysteresis friction and the wet friction data with water detergent as a lubricant.
