Transient Effects in Friction

"Transient Effects in Friction" is a technical book that addresses the transient friction effects that determine the behavior of a variety of mechatronic systems. Classic examples include squeaky brakes, stiction in robotic arms, and stick-slip in linear drives. To properly design and understand such mechatronic systems, quantitative models of transient friction effects are of central interest. The book develops a theory that derives the behavior of macroscopic friction surfaces from microscopic surface physics. It is based on the assumption that rough surfaces are fractal and that transient friction effects are caused by the enlargement of the real contact area between two bodies. The results of extensive finite element analyses of the creep behavior of surface asperities are presented, and a generalized multi-scale surface iteration method for calculating the time-dependent real contact between two bodies is proposed. The book demonstrates the application of this tool both for reproducing various experimental results and for system simulation of two example systems.