Friction - 3

Dr. N.Ch. Kaushik

 Surface forces
• Play an important part in friction and their impact is particularly noticeable with
microcontacts in MEMS /NEMS
• These forces are classified into three types:
– electrostatic forces;
[result from Coulomb interactions between pre-charged surfaces or from surfaces
which become charged through friction ]

– capillary forces; and

[result from humidity induced adhesive force] (solid-liquid interaction)

– Van der Waals forces.

[result from dipole–dipole interactions, either between polar molecules or between
polar and neutral molecules (induced dipoles). ] (solid-solid interaction)
 Capillary forces

Formation of a meniscus between two Variations in the capillary force when an object dipped in a
surfaces separated by a liquid film liquid is withdrawn.

F = 4π. R. γ LV . cosθ

The capillary force reaches a maximum when θ= 0.

 Vanderwaals forces

Evolution of the force of interaction

relative to the distance between a sharp tip and
a surface

Interaction energy (W) between two solids of different geometry

Surface forces measurement : Surface forces apparatus (SFA)

Fig. Forces of adhesion of a sphere on a plane. Forces curve Fig. Force profile relative to displacement during withdrawal
obtained for two carbon surfaces with an SFA used in dry air: of the sphere from the carbon plane; curves recorded in dry
a) displacement of the sphere; b) force curves and wet conditions
Impact of roughness on friction
• Not well understood
• 3-D is important

Ref: P.L. Menezes, S.V. Kailas / Biosurface and Biotribology 2 (2016) 1–10
Making sense out Non-sense !!!
 What Friction leads to…?
During the friction process, “mechanical energy” is converted to
– heat energy, causing an increase in the temperature of rubbing bodies;
– acoustic energy, producing audible effects;
– optical energy, including the full spectral range;
– electric energy, responsible for generating electrostatic charge;
– mechanical energy, causing wear of contacting bodies; and
– mechanical energy (or entropy), causing further comminution of wear particles”.

Note: The relative contribution of these different forms of mechanical energy expenditure will differ according to
the nature of the opposing materials, the surrounding environment and the contact conditions.
 Pantograph–catenary system
• Provide an uninterrupted energy supply to
power electric traction railway vehicles
References

• Bharath Bhushan, Principles and applications of Tribology, 2nd

Edition, Wiley, 2013.
• P. L. Menezes, S. P. Ingole, M. Nosonovsky, Satish V. Kailas, M. R.
Lovell, Tribology for Scientists and Engineers: From Basics to
Advanced Concepts, Springer, 2013.
• Cox, Roy L. Engineered tribological composites : the art of
friction material development. SAE International, 2012.