Modeling of the Friction Process in a Frictional Pair Using Chaos Theory Tools

The article presents the possibility of applying selected tools of chaos theory in the process of modeling a frictional pair by monitoring its operating condition aspects. These tools are suggested with regard to the friction process, which subtracts a variety of noises currently treated as a stochastic phenomenon. This assumption significantly reduces the possibility of a precise description and modeling of friction phenomena. The fundamental assumption that enables the application of chaos theory tools is that of treating the friction phenomenon as a non-linear dynamic one. This assumption allows for an analysis of the basic values that characterize the operation of a frictional pair in phase space. Such a manner of presenting and analyzing the parameters of the operation of a frictional pair allows for a prediction of the system’s condition (the parameters describing the operating conditions of the frictional pair) in a short period of time. In this article, the authors implemented the above-mentioned method to the modeling of an automotive disk brake couple. This tribo-system was selected because of the great intensiveness of the friction process and the non-trivial impact of noises. The article proves that the friction process, according to the performed tests, comes under chaos theory properties. Moreover, a successful prediction of the operating conditions of the frictional pair was carried out.