In situ thermal measurements of sliding contacts

This study examines frictional heating and the associated temperature rise for a sliding circular contact using an in situ thermal micro-tribometer. Observation of the contact temperature used a radiometric approach to measure local temperature at the sliding interface with an emphasis on full field imaging and thermal accuracy. Filled natural rubber samples were slid against optically smooth CaF2 counter-samples. Temperature rise was measured for externally applied normal forces ranging from∼100 to 1000 mN and sliding velocities ranging from∼250 to 1000 mm/s, producing temperature rises between ∼3 and 26 °C. Measured temperature rise was compared to the analytical models of Jaeger, Archard, and Tian and Kennedy for the average temperature rise in sliding contacts.

► We designed a tribometer to take direct in situ measurements of sliding spherical contacts.
► We observe the temperature rise due to frictional heating at various sliding speeds and loads.
► Short duration and increased convection experiments were conducted in order to understand sample reheat.
► Measured data matched well with analytical models for maximum and average temperature rise.