Elastohydrodynamics for soft solids with surface roughness: transient effects

A huge number of technological and biological systems involves the lubricated contact between rough surfaces of soft solids in relative accelerated motion. Examples include dynamical rubber seals and the human joints. In this study we consider an elastic cylinder with random surface roughness in accelerated sliding motion on a rigid, perfectly flat (no roughness) substrate in a fluid. We calculate the surface deformations, interface separation and the contributions to the friction force and the normal force from the area of real contact and from the fluid. The driving velocity profile as a function of time is assumed to be either a sine-function, or a linear multi-ramp function. We show how the squeeze-in and squeeze-out processes, occurring in accelerated sliding, quantitatively affect the Stribeck curve with respect to the steady sliding. Finally, the theory results are compared to experimental data

Contact mechanics for polydimethylsiloxane: from liquid to solid

Adhesion between a glass ball and a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) sample is dependent on the PDMS cross-link density, and the transformation of the material from the uncrosslinked liquid state to the fully crosslinked solid state is investigated in this study. The physical picture reflected a gradual transition from capillary forces driven contact mechanics to the classical Johnson–Kendall–Roberts (JKR)-type contact mechanics. PDMS was produced by mixing the base fluid and a cross-linker at a ratio of 10 : 1 and allowed to slowly cross-link at room temperature with simultaneous measurement of the ball–PDMS interaction force. The PDMS sample was in the liquid state during the first ≈16 hours, and in this case the ball–PDMS interaction was purely adhesive, i.e., no repulsive interaction was observed. Later at the PDMS gel-point the cross-linked PDMS clusters percolate, converting the fluid into a soft (fluid-filled) poroelastic solid. In the transition period, PDMS appears similar to pressure-sensitive adhesives. There we observe so-called “stringing” and permanent deformation of the material impacted by the ball. At room temperature, it takes more than ∼100 hours for PDMS to fully cross-link that can be confirmed by the comparison with the earlier-studied reference PDMS produced at elevated temperatures

Adhesion, friction and viscoelastic properties for non-aged and aged Styrene Butadiene rubber

We study adhesion and friction between smooth glass, and fresh and aged Styrene Butadiene – Isoprene rubber blend (SBR-IR). The friction and adhesion are only slightly modified by the aging process, but elongation at break, and rubber toughness, are strongly reduced. We attribute this to changes in the crosslink density, a decrease in the filler matrix strength, and to the formation and growth of crack-like defects. The latter have a small influence on adhesion and friction, but a large effect on the elongation at break

On the retraction of an adhesive cylindrical indenter from a viscoelastic substrate

The retraction of a cylindrical rigid indenter from a viscoelastic substrate is studied by means of an efficient Green's function method. Hysteresis is observed in the load to area relationship in accordance with experimental results. Although our model relaxes many assumptions posed by LEFM-based analytical theories, the results fall between the limits, at high and low retraction velocities, predicted by the theories. Approaching the high velocity instantaneous limit requires, however, very high velocities or Maugis parameter. The work of adhesion is found to change during retraction. A non-dimensional parameter is proposed to estimate the effect of viscoelasticity in adhesive hysteresis

Influence of anisotropic surface roughness on lubricated rubber friction : Extended theory and an application to hydraulic seals

Machine elements and mechanical components have often surfaces with anisotropic roughness, which may result from the machining processes, e.g. grinding, or from wear. Hence, it is important to understand how surface roughness anisotropy affects the contact mechanics properties, such as friction and the interface separation, which is important for lubricated contacts. Here we extend a multiscale mean-field model to the lubricated contact between a soft (e.g. rubber) elastic solid and a rigid countersurface. We consider surfaces with anisotropic surface roughness, and discuss how the fluid flow factors and friction factors depend on the roughness power spectral density, as well as on the location of roughness on the interacting solids. Finally, we present an experimental study of the lubricated sliding contact between a nitrile butadiene rubber O-ring and steel surfaces with different kinds of isotropic and anisotropic surface roughness. The good quantitative comparison between the experimental results and the theory predictions suggests that the multiscale lubrication mechanisms are accurately captured by the theory

On the retraction of an adhesive cylindrical indenter from a viscoelastic substrate

The retraction of a cylindrical rigid indenter from a viscoelastic substrate is studied by means of an efficient Green's function method. Hysteresis is observed in the load to area relationship in accordance with experimental results. Although our model relaxes many assumptions posed by LEFM-based analytical theories, the results fall between the limits, at high and low retraction velocities, predicted by the theories. Approaching the high velocity instantaneous limit requires, however, very high velocities or Maugis parameter. The work of adhesion is found to change during retraction. A non-dimensional parameter is proposed to estimate the effect of viscoelasticity in adhesive hysteresis.Team Jilt SietsmaTeam Marcel Sluite

Rubber adhesion below the glass transition temperature: Role of frozen-in elastic deformation

We have studied how the adhesion between rubber and a flat countersurface depends on temperature. When the two solids are separated at room temperature negligible adhesion is detected, which is due to the elastic deformation energy stored in the rubber, which is given back during pull-off and help to break the adhesive bonds. When the system is cooled down below the glass transition temperature, the elastic deformation imposed on the system at room temperature is “frozen-in” and the stored-up elastic energy is not given back during separation at the low temperature. This results in a huge increase in the pull-off force. This study is crucial for many applications involving rubber at low temperatures, e.g., rubber seals for cryogenic or space applications

Rubber adhesion below the glass transition temperature: Role of frozen-in elastic deformation

We have studied how the adhesion between rubber and a flat countersurface depends on temperature. When the two solids are separated at room temperature negligible adhesion is detected, which is due to the elastic deformation energy stored in the rubber, which is given back during pull-off and help to break the adhesive bonds. When the system is cooled down below the glass transition temperature, the elastic deformation imposed on the system at room temperature is "frozen-in" and the stored-up elastic energy is not given back during separation at the low temperature. This results in a huge increase in the pull-off force. This study is crucial for many applications involving rubber at low temperatures, e.g., rubber seals for cryogenic or space applications