Effect of topography parameter, load, and surface roughness on friction coefficient in mixed lubrication regime

Surface topography parameters significantly control physical processes which have asperity-to-asperity contacts in tribological components undergoing friction and wear. In this study, the effect of correlation length, maximum contact load, and surface roughness on friction coefficient and load distribution is studied. The load-sharing concept is employed to determine friction coefficient and load distribution in the mixed-lubrication regime. Results clearly demonstrate the effect of correlation length on friction coefficient and load distribution. It is found that the lower value of the coefficient of friction may be achieved even at low velocity for the smooth surface as compared with rough surfaces having higher surface roughness. For a particular value of velocity, the coefficient of friction decreases with an increase in maximum contact load. This work will help in predicting the coefficient of friction in the mixed-lubrication regime for the engineering surfaces produced by processes like grinding, which is the result of an abrasive action.