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On the Friction of Carbon Black- and Silica-Reinforced BR and S-SBR Elastomers

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Abstract

Friction of carbon black- and silica-reinforced elastomers is studied experimentally and theoretically, using Persson’s model. The effect of reinforcement fillers on elasticity was determined by dynamical mechanical analysis. Carbon black-filled samples have a higher Young’s modulus than the silica-filled compounds. Silica-filled rubbers have a higher tan (δ) at lower temperatures and a lower loss tangent at higher temperatures, which is a rough indication for higher wet grip and lower rolling resistance, respectively. Friction tests on a ball-on-disk test rig were performed to study the effect of the reinforcement fillers and their amount on the friction between rubber samples (disks) and relatively smooth or rough granite surfaces (balls). The results were discussed and compared with the friction model presented by Persson. It was shown theoretically and experimentally that hysteresis does not play a significant role in the friction of rubber samples in contact with smooth granite and that it plays a minor role in contact with a rough granite sphere. Therefore, the hysteresis contribution of friction can be neglected in the contact of rubbers with just smooth spheres. Moreover, a higher friction coefficient is seen in samples with a higher content of fillers. Silica-filled compounds show a slightly higher coefficient of friction compared with the carbon black-filled compounds. The effect of attached wear debris to the granite surfaces on the friction level has been studied. The results are supported by SEM and confocal microscopic images of the wear debris itself and wear debris attached to the granite spheres, respectively.

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Abbreviations

F f :

Total friction force (N)

F vis :

Hysteresis contribution of friction force induced by viscoelastic losses (N)

τ f(v):

Frictional shear stress as a function of velocity (Pa)

A(v):

Real area of contact as a function of velocity (m2)

μ f :

Total coefficient of friction

F N :

Nominal normal load (N)

σ 0 :

Nominal contact pressure (Pa)

A 0 :

Nominal area of contact (m2)

μ vis :

Viscoelastic or hysteresis coefficient of friction

P(q):

Real to the nominal area of contact ratio as a function of wave vector

ω :

Frequency of the applied load to the rubber (rad/s)

λ :

Length scale of the roughness under study (m)

\(\vec{\varvec{q}}\) :

Roughness wave vector (1/m)

q:

Amplitude of the roughness wave vector (1/m)

q 0 :

Lower wave vector cutoff corresponding to the longest wave length of roughness (1/m)

q 1 :

Higher wave vector cutoff corresponding to the shortest wave length of roughness (1/m)

C(q):

Power spectral density of the roughness (m4)

A(q):

Apparent contact area when the surface is smooth on all wave vectors >q (m2)

ϕ :

Angle between the velocity vector and the wave vector \(\vec{\varvec{q}}\) (rad)

E :

Modulus of elasticity (Pa)

G(ω):

The shear modulus (Pa)

ν :

Poisson’s ratio

τ c :

Effective frictional stresses with regard to energy dissipation at a crack opening (Pa)

τ s :

Effective frictional stresses with regard to shearing a thin confined film (Pa)

G(v):

Energy/area to break the interfacial rubber–substrate bond as a function of velocity (w/m2)

a :

Crack-tip radius (m)

a T :

The temperature–frequency viscoelastic horizontal shift factor

T g :

Glass transition temperature (°C)

ξ :

Magnification factor

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Acknowledgments

This project is carried out in the framework of the innovation program “GO Gebundelde Innovatiekracht,” and funded by the “European Regional Development Fund,” “Regio Twente” and “Provincie Overijssel.” The project partners Apollo Tyres Global R&D B.V., University of Twente (Tire–Road Consortium), Reef Infra, Stemmer Imaging B.V. and the Provincie Gelderland are gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Surface Technology and Tribology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands

    Milad Mokhtari & Dirk J. Schipper

  2. Apollo Tyres Global R&D B.V., Colosseum 2, 7521 PT, Enschede, The Netherlands

    Tetyana V. Tolpekina

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  1. Milad Mokhtari
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  2. Dirk J. Schipper
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  3. Tetyana V. Tolpekina
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Correspondence to Milad Mokhtari.

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Mokhtari, M., Schipper, D.J. & Tolpekina, T.V. On the Friction of Carbon Black- and Silica-Reinforced BR and S-SBR Elastomers. Tribol Lett 54, 297–308 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11249-014-0334-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11249-014-0334-z

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