Effect of Surface Grooves on the Static Friction of an Elastic Slider

TL;DR

This study investigates how different densities of surface grooves on an elastic slider affect static friction, revealing that low densities reduce friction while higher densities diminish this effect, with implications for design optimization.

Contribution

It provides new insights into how surface groove density influences static friction in elastic sliders, highlighting the non-uniform stress distribution as a key factor.

Findings

Low groove density decreases static friction.

Higher groove density weakens the friction reduction effect.

Surface stress distribution is non-uniform due to patterning.

Abstract

Numerous studies have proved the usefulness of surface patterning for the modification of tribological performances of sliding contacts. Here we investigate the effects of patterning on the tribological properties of a slider over a solid substrate. We show that, depending on the numerical density of surface grooves, the tribological properties can change significantly. A low density of surface patterning leads to a decrease of static friction force, while a higher density weakens this effect. The decrease is related to a non-uniform distribution of surface stress induced by patterning. We believe these findings and approach to be relevant for technological applications and related optimal design.