Novel experimental techniques for investigating time resolved high speed friction

The paper presents some recent advances in experimental methods to investig ate the phenomenon of high speed friction. In particular, two novel experim ental methods are employed in the present study: (a) the plate impact press ure-shear friction experiment, and (b) the torsional Kolsky bar friction ex periment. Using these experimental configurations, dynamic frictional chara cteristics of Carpenter Hampden tool-steel/Ti6Al4V and Carpenter Hampden to ol-steel/7075-T6 Al are investigated under conditions of high interfacial n ormal pressures (100 MPa to 2 GPa), high slip speeds (1 to 60 m/s) and elev ated temperatures. The results of these experiments provide some new insigh ts into the role of the applied normal pressure, interfacial slip speeds, i nterfacial temperature, and the surface roughness in controlling the tribol ogy of dry sliding interfaces. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights re served.