Author(s)

I. Tzanakis & M. Hadfield

Abstract

One of the most important issues in dry sliding contact is the frictional heat generated. This study investigates the flash temperatures caused by frictional heating of sliding parallel pairs: a high performance fluoroelastomer composite with a high carbon steel plate. These materials have industrial applications and in particular as the main contacting components within a scroll expander system. The expected flash temperature values of the studied contacts are important to be revealed in order to predict the wear mechanisms associated with excessive contact temperatures caused by sliding friction. Two different roughness profiles of the high carbon steel plate were used. The flash temperatures generated by the asperities contact of the tested materials were investigated as a function of the friction coefficient, the applied pressure and the sliding velocity, using a reciprocating tribometer. Initially physical experimental observations of the specific contact produced with a high- precision thermal camera integrated with a sliding micro-friction machine were conducted. Analytical results using conventional mathematical methodology were also produced. The analytical and experimental findings were then compared indicating interesting correlations within the flash temperatures and the experimental conditions. The most influential parameter for the flash temperature rise is determined. Keywords: flash temperature, roughness, composite elastomer, sliding wear, frictional heat.

Keywords

flash temperature, roughness, composite elastomer, sliding wear, frictional heat