Elastic Deformation and the Laws of Friction

Abstract

IT has been shown by Bowden and his co-workers¹ that the classical law of friction F = µW is dependent on plastic deformation of the asperities in contact on the rubbing surfaces. In the case of high polymers, however, Lincoln² has shown that, ideally, relationships of the form F = kW^2/3 are to be expected at small loads, as a result of elastic deformation of the asperities. Other examples of high polymer friction³, and particularly the friction of textile fibres^4,5, indicate similar relationships although, in the case of textile fibres, of a more general form F = kWⁿ, where nmay lie between 0.67 and unity (see table).