THE FRICTION COEFFICIENT AND ITS RELATION TO THE CONTACT FATIGUE CHARACTERISTICS OF MATERIALS

The process of friction has been treated within the framework of an er godynamic concept of deformable bodies. Equations of friction energy b alance are derived and a structure-energy interpretation of the fricti on process is proposed. The friction coefficient is shown to be physic ally meaningful in Amonton's sense. An energy interpretation of experi mental friction curves is given. The friction parameter ranges within the domain of compatibility (optimality) are computed for tribosystems . The friction coefficient is shown to be a characteristic of the fati gue, wear resistance, and order/disorder parameter of a tribosystem. A n equation of state of a tribosystem and universal friction constants are proposed. A quantum model for surface damping is considered. Entro py balance equations and a constancy condition for the critical entrop y in tribosystems are derived. Theoretical grounds are given to the co rrelation between the problems of catastrophes and tribophatics.