Theory of rubber friction and contact mechanics
2001/08/22 by B. N. J. Persson · 1,608 citations
Engineering · Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Adhesion, Friction, and Surface Interactions #Classical mechanics #Composite material #Contact area #Contact mechanics #Dissipation #Finite element method #Force Microscopy Techniques and Applications #Fractal #Geology #Geometry #Materials science #Mathematics #Mechanics #Natural rubber #Physics #Rough surface #Sports Dynamics and Biomechanics #Substrate (aquarium) #Surface (topology) #Surface energy #Surface finish #Surface roughness #Thermodynamics
paper · open access · doi:10.1063/1.1388626
published in The Journal of Chemical Physics 115(8), 3840-3861 (American Institute of Physics)
openalex publication_date 2001/08/22 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
Abstract
When rubber slides on a hard, rough substrate, the surface asperities of the substrate exert oscillating forces on the rubber surface leading to energy “dissipation” via the internal friction of the rubber. I present a discussion of how the resulting friction force depends on the nature of the substrate surface roughness and on the sliding velocity. I consider in detail the case when the substrate surface has a self affine fractal structure. I also present a theory for the area of real contact, both for stationary and sliding bodies, with elastic or elastoplastic properties. The theoretical results are in good agreement with experimental observation.
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