The dependence of the sliding mode (repeated vs. non-repeated reciprocated sliding) on the friction and wear behavior of ball-on-flat, brittle non-metallic interfaces in ambient air conditions is evaluated. Repeated sliding promotes the formation of a third body (compressed wear particles) that stabilizes the friction. Non-repeated sliding shows reduced evidence of third body formation, and instead a steady increase in friction. The proposed mechanism driving the non-repeated friction behavior is attributed to a gradual reduction in the ball surface roughness, leading to an increased area of real contact and greater capillary bridge forming across non-contact regions of the interface.

, , , ,
Elsevier BV
NWO
doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2019.105983
Tribol.Int.
Contact Dynamics

Hsia, F.-C., Elam, F., Bonn, D., Weber, B., & Franklin, S. (2020). Wear particle dynamics drive the difference between repeated and non-repeated reciprocated sliding. Tribol.Int., 142, 105983: 1–8. doi:10.1016/j.triboint.2019.105983