Problematics of friction in a high-speed rubber-wheel wear test system: A case study of irregularly rough steel in water lubricated contact

Abstract

A custom-made slurry-type high-speed rubber wheel wear testing system was modified for measuring friction. Friction behaviour of irregularly rough steel against CSM-rubber in water-lubricated contact at a velocity range of 1.7–17 m/s was investigated. A noticeable friction maximum was observed near the midpoint of the range extremities, at 6.7–8.3 m/s, and the resulting wear marks on steel specimens also suggested the highest severity of contact at these medium speeds. Higher end of sliding velocity range returned friction to lower levels and less wear was observed. This was interpreted as a product of reduction in frictional heat due to slight improvement in mixed lubrication. In conclusion, the peculiar friction behaviour was interpreted as a system-specific anomaly, implying that similar problematics could be encountered in other rubber wheel wear test systems as well.