Stabilization of Frictional Sliding by Normal Load Modulation

This paper presents the stability analysis of a system sliding at low velocities (<100 μm⋅s⁻¹) under a periodically modulated normal load, preserving interfacial contact. Experiments clearly evidence that normal vibrations generally stabilize the system against stick-slip oscillations, at least for a modulation frequency much larger than the stick-slip one. The mechanical model of L. Bureau, T. Baumberger, and C. Caroli validated on the steady-state response of the system, is used to map its stability diagram. The model takes explicitly into account the finite shear stiffness of the load-bearing asperities, in addition to a classical state and rate-dependent friction force. The numerical results are in excellent quantitative agreement with the experimental data obtained from a multicontact frictional system between glassy polymer materials. Simulations at larger amplitude of modulation (typically 20 percent of the mean normal load) suggest that the nonlinear coupling between normal and sliding motion could have a destabilizing effect in restricted regions of the parameter space.