Experimental and numerical investigation of multiscale rubber friction on 3D-printed sinusoidal surfaces

In order to investigate hysteresis friction separately from other friction contributions (mainly adhesive friction), linear friction tests are performed with cut out tread specimens from passenger car tires on 3D-printed sinusoidal surfaces under dry and wet conditions. In this work, a multiscale approach based on the finite element method is used to reproduce the hysteresis friction features obtained in the laboratory. On each scale, finite element simulations on block level are evaluated at different contact pressure, sliding velocity and temperature conditions, which are homogenized with respect to time, to build up a friction law for the next coarser scale. Using the Williams-Landel-Ferry equation, the thermal influence on the viscoelastic rubber material is considered.