Modeling the friction of ice

• A comprehensive model of kinetic friction of ice is presented.
• The model can be applied also on melting ice.
• The model is successfully verified by experimental data.
• Friction mechanisms of ice are different from those discussed in recent literature.

Friction of ice has been studied for over 150 years. Recently, the physics of ice friction have been reviewed and many new experimental results presented. Here, we present a theoretical model of kinetic ice friction. The model can be applied also on melting ice. Our results suggest that the regions of the friction mechanisms of ice are different from those discussed in the literature. They also imply that experimental data on ice friction are partly inadequate for detailed interpretation of the physics of ice friction, because frictional heating makes the ice temperature depend on the sliding velocity. We use the existing adequate experimental data on ice friction in verifying our model and find good agreement over a wide range of conditions.