Prediction of Contact Area and Frictional Behaviour of Rubber on Rigid Rough Surfaces

In the tire-road contact friction depends on several influencing variables (e.g. surface texture, real contact area, sliding velocity, normal contact pressure, temperature, tread block geometry, compound and on the existence of a lubrication film). A multi-scale model for prediction of contact area and frictional behaviour of rubber on rigid rough surfaces at different length scales is presented. Within this publication the multi-scale approach is checked regarding convergence. By means of the model influencing parameters like sliding velocity, compound and surface texture on friction and contact area will be investigated.