Sliding Friction of Elastomer Composites in Contact with Rough Self-affine Surfaces: Theory and Application

This review paper presents an introduction of contact mechanics and rubber friction theory for sliding friction of elastomer composites in contact with rough surfaces. Particularly, Kluppel & Heinrich theory considers the self-affine (or fractal) characteristic for rough surfaces to predict adhesion and hysteresis frictions of elastomers based on the contact mechanics of Greenwood & Williamson. Due to dynamic excitation process of elastomer composites while sliding in contact with multiscale surface roughness (or asperity), viscoelastic properties in a wide frequency range becomes major contributor to friction behaviors. A brief description and examples are provided to construct a viscoelastic master curve considering nonlinear viscoelasticity of elastomer composites. Finally, application of rubber friction theory to tire tread compounds in traction with road surfaces is discussed with several experimental and theoretical results.