The inhibition mechanism of ultrasonic vibration on stick-slip phenomenon of sliding friction pair

Abstract Frictional vibration often occurs during sliding, commonly referred to as the stick-slip phenomenon. It is more likely to occur in the range of the Stribeck curve, where friction and velocity have negative gradient characteristics. In this study, ultrasonic vibration is applied to the metal/metal sliding friction pair which reduce both static and kinetic friction forces. The inhibition mechanism of ultrasonic vibration on the stick-slip phenomenon is investigated for a sliding pair moving at low velocities (0.05–1.0 mm/s) under the condition of dry friction and oil lubrication. Under the condition of dry friction, ultrasonic vibration reduces the slider’s friction force by up to 89%, and the displacement fluctuation by up to 61%, effectively inhibiting the stick-slip phenomenon. Under the condition of oil lubrication, the friction force fluctuates when driving at a constant velocity, and the displacement fluctuation also fluctuates with the change of driving velocities. After ultrasonic vibration is applied, the friction reduction of the slider changes greatly with the driving velocity, so that the inhibition effect of ultrasonic vibration on stick-slip phenomenon under oil lubrication condition is unstable.