An advanced viscous model for rubber–ice-friction

• We present a model for viscous friction of rough rubber on ice including the “saturation effect”.
• Simulated and experimental friction coefficients show a good agreement with respect to the service conditions.
• The model reflects the influence of the rubber stiffness on the ice friction correctly.
• The surface saturation explains the sensitivity of the compound performance on the ice temperature.

The dominating friction mechanism of a sliding rubber on ice is viscous friction within a thin water layer. The presented model describes the water height via a time-dependent differential equation. As the rubber surface is assumed to be rough, the water height is given by a thermodynamical equilibrium and the hydrodynamical squeeze-out of water. Furthermore, the so-called saturation of the rough rubber surface is taken into account.Compared to experiments, the numerically determined friction coefficient represents the influence of pressure, velocity, and ice temperature qualitatively correct. Moreover, the effect of rubber stiffness is in agreement with experimental studies in general. By means of the saturation the model is able to explain the spreading behavior of compounds with respect to temperature.