Adhesion and Friction of Elastomers

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Abstract
Use of mirror smooth spheres and cylinders of rubber allows the thickness and contour of a liquid film trapped between surfaces to be studied by optical interferometry. Close normal approach reveals the load bearing capacity of electrical double layer forces. In the absence of such forces, a liquid film collapses leading to areas of adhesion over most of the contact region. The adhesion can be interpreted in terms of surface energy. The force required to separate adhered surfaces is found to depend critically upon the rate of separation. Dry contact observations reveal that under nonequilibrium conditions the apparent surface energy may be very much greater than the equilibrium energy. The observations can be used, in certain circumstances, to predict tack, rolling resistance and sliding friction. Such prediction reflects a combination of surface properties and bulk viscoelasticity of the rubber. In particular, the approach has been applied to rolling on rough surfaces and to the friction of rubber on ice.

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