Self-induced oscillations of friction process parameters

The tribological behavior of the various metals under heavy duty lubricated sliding conditions was investigated. The self-induced oscillations of the wear rate and the metal-metal contact value were typical for the slide friction of relatively small samples under these conditions. The existence and the period of the oscillations may be controlled by the applied load or by the counterbody roughness values. The one dimensional discrete wear contact (DWC) model was developed. The model demonstrates the long time self-induced oscillations of the wear rate, the roughness parameter and the number of the loaded contacts under the constant load. The periodicity of the oscillation is dependent on the load in a manner similar to the fatigue S-N curve. The experimental and the computer simulation results show that the period of the long time self-induced oscillations of any tribological parameter gives an average value of the life span of the heavy loaded spots in the sliding contact. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.