Interfacial potential barrier theory of friction and wear

Abstract

An interfacial potential barrier theory to calculate friction and wear is proposed by considering the micro interaction of frictional surfaces. The theory suggests that the performance of friction and wear depends on the magnitude and distribution of the interfacial potential barrier on contact surfaces. The calculation methods of the interfacial potential barrier and standard interfacial potential barrier are then studied and the formulas to calculate the friction force, friction coefficient, and quantity of adhesion wear are derived based on the theory. With its independence and stability, the standard interfacial potential barrier can be used as an index to describe the frictional performance of materials. The calculation results of the friction force with some existing experimental data are consistent with the experimental results performed with an ultra high vacuum atomic-force microscope, which proves that the theory and method are feasible.

Keywords

friction / wear / potential barrier / theory