Abstract
Current theories of friction do not explain the fact that the friction of many fibers on typical guide surfaces is a function of the guide surface roughness. This friction has been found to vary inversety with increasing roughness within certain levels. In this paper a theory to explain the phenomenon is proposed. It is based upon work by Bowden and Tahor and others, in which the plowing of metal in front of a slider of a harder material than the surface upon which it slides is considered in addition to the shearing of junctions made between the two metals. An analysis by Bowden and Tabor, in which one hemispherical asperity is studied, is extended. A mathematical model of the friction effect is set up involving many asperities, all of equal radius. Plowing friction is then found to be an inverse function of the radius of the asperities and of the square root of the number of asperities. To test the relationship derived from this theory some introductory experimental work was done. The friction of yarn on two vastly different surfaces was measured. In addition, optical measurements were made upon these surfaces. A comparison of the measured friction ratio with the ratio based upon the surface studies gave a fair check, indicating that the theory in volving plowing may indeed apply to fiber friction.
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