A NEW THEORY OF ROLLING CONTACT

The report proposes an entirely new theory of rolling contact. Surfaces are modeled as rough (although rough in this context applies even to ball bearing smooth surfaces which are rough on the micro-scale) and are described statistically. When two rough surfaces are pressed together, their peaks (known as asperities) press against each other and form junctions. Friction in the interface is caused by the shearing of these junctions. An important result of this model is that the relationship between the dimensionless friction force and the dimensionless lateral slip velocity depends on the surface roughness of the wheel and track. This surface roughness is described by a roughness (or smoothness) parameter. The influence of the roughness on the friction is postulated and described. Finally, experimental results are presented which support the conclusions that surface roughness is a relevant parameter in rolling contact and that the force-slip relationship is strongly dependent on surface roughness. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  Engineering Projects Laboratory
  Cambridge, MA  United States 
• Authors:
  • Nayak, P R
  • Paul, I L
• Publication Date: 1968-4

Media Info

• Pagination: 156 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bearings; Friction; Live loads; Rolling contact
• Subject Areas: Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00039100
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Contract Numbers: C-85-65t
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 24 1973 12:00AM