Micro contact analysis of rubber-ice interaction during frictional processes

Thumbnail Image

Files

isbn9789526074832.pdf (9.43 MB)

URL

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

School of Engineering | Doctoral thesis (article-based) | Defence date: 2017-06-30
Unless otherwise stated, all rights belong to the author. You may download, display and print this publication for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.

Authors

Date

2017

Department

Konetekniikan laitos
Department of Mechanical Engineering

Major/Subject

Mcode

Degree programme

Language

en

Pages

67 + app. 59

Series

Aalto University publication series DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS, 113/2017

Abstract

Ice friction plays a central role in vehicle and a human motion during winter, in sport engineering or in geological processes. Although various in their area, all of these topics require similar understanding, namely understanding of how the ice surface behaves when it gets into contact with an external body. The aim of the work undertaken in the frame of this thesis was to propose a methodology chain which can help to investigate the frictional and contact mechanical processes especially active during rubber – ice interaction; and to use this chain in broadening our understanding in the physics of tire-ice contact. Specifically, during the doctoral work reported here laboratory scale rubber-ice friction tests were carried out and studied in details using various microscopy and surface topography techniques under the most severe conditions, on medium warm and on warm ice. The result of the study using different microscopy techniques allowed to confirm the presence of several frictional mechanisms. Their relevance was found to be dependent not only on the ice surface but also on the slider material. Significantly different mechanisms were activated for soft and for hard rubber compounds. For soft compounds, the governing frictional mechanisms were the removal of surface frost via cutting and/or frictional heating, scratching of the softening ice by hard filler particles and shearing of a quasi-liquid layer by capillary drag. For stiffer compounds, the contact proved to be more localized, resulting in high local pressures, causing plastic deformation and larger scale local melting. Additional multiscale surface analysis was also performed by White Light Interferometry, which is based on topography measurement. It showed the early appearance in all tests of circular liquid like features on ice. They were interpreted as quasi liquid droplets, indicating the generic importance of thermally activated processes with their presence. Modification of the rubber surface roughness using different silica types also proved to impact the tribological performance, mostly by modifying the extent of ice scratching. Further explanation of the contact processes was gained from quantitative analysis of the Real Area of Contact. Micro-Computed Tomography (micro-CT), coupled with specific image analysis algorithms was introduced for first time in rubber contact mechanical analysis. It allowed to directly visualize and quantify the contact state on micro scale without disturbing the tribo system. Different contact pairs were investigated, allowing to compare the rubber-ice contact to the better understood rubber-dry rough surface contact. The results highlighted the importance of the rubber roughness and surface quality. The better understanding of the governing tribological processes of the rubber – ice interaction helps to open new research directions and thus to improve the rubber compounds and tire tread patterns. 

Description

Supervising professor

Tammi, Kari, Prof., Aalto University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Finland

Thesis advisor

Fülöp, Tibor, Dr., Goodyear S.A., Luxembourg
Tuononen, Ari, Dr., Aalto University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Finland

Keywords

surface characterization, friction mechanisms, rubber, ice, contact mechanics, microscopy, micro-CT, white light interferometry

Other note

Parts

  • [Publication 1]: Kriston, András; Isitman, Nihat Ali; Fülöp, Tibor; Tuononen, Ari J. 2015. Structural evolution and wear of ice surface during rubber-ice contact. Elsevier. Tribology International, 93, 257 - 268. ISSN 0301-679X.
    DOI: 10.1016/j.triboint.2015.09.020 View at publisher
  • [Publication 2]: Kriston, András; Fülöp, Tibor; Isitman, Nihat Ali; Kotecky, Ondrej; Tuononen, Ari J. 2016. A novel method for contact analysis of rubber and various surfaces using micro-computerized -tomography. Elsevier. Polymer Testing, 53, 132-142. ISSN 0142-9418.
    DOI: 10.1016/j.polymertesting.2016.05.019 View at publisher
  • [Publication 3]: Tuononen, Ari J; Kriston, András; Persson, Bo. 2016. Multiscale Physics of rubber-ice friction. American Institute of Physics. The Journal of Chemical Physics, 145, 11, 114703. ISSN 0021-9606.
    DOI: 10.1063/1.4962576 View at publisher
  • [Publication 4]: Isitman, Nihat Ali; Kriston, András; Fülöp, Tibor. Role of rubber stiffness and surface roughness in the tribological performance on ice. Accepted for publication in Tribology Transactions in the year 2017.
    DOI: 10.1080/10402004.2017.1319002 View at publisher

Citation

Permanent link to this item

https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-60-7483-2

Collections

[diss] Insinööritieteiden korkeakoulu / ENG