A Criterion for the Choice of Friction Materials Based on the Lifshitz–Hamaker Theory of Adhesive Interaction.

The paper is a theoretical study of mechanically activated processes in tribocontact, which lead to the formation of a lubricating film between rubbing bodies. The adhesive aspect of tribofilm formation is considered using the condition of the mechanical activation of the friction surface. This condition is satisfied when the adhesion energy becomes greater than the cohesion energy. The Hamaker constant is used to describe not only the adhesive interaction during friction, but also the amount of matter transferred when the mechanical activation condition is met. It is shown that the adhesive effect decreases with the second power of the distance from the friction surface. A relationship is derived that relates tribological characteristics to the Hamaker constant as the fundamental characteristic of the material. It is shown how the friction coefficient in the steady-state regime depends on the counterbody material and the antifriction transfer film material. Numerical results are compared to experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]