Application of elastic-plastic static friction model to rough surface with asymmetric asperity distribution

The asymmetric height distribution in surface roughness is usually indispensable in engineering surfaces prepared by specific manufacturing process. Moreover, the running-in process develops severe asymmetric roughness distribution in the surface interfaces. In this paper, the effect of asymmetric asperity distribution on static friction coefficient is investigated theoretically and by comparing it with experimental results. In order to generate a probability density function of non-Gaussian surface roughness, the Pearson system of frequency curves was used. Subsequently, the Kogut and Etsion (KE) model of elastic-plastic static friction was modified to calculate the contacting interfacial forces. For the experiments, actual roller and housing surfaces from a CV (Constant Velocity) joint were prepared to measure the static friction coefficient as it clearly shows the asymmetry of roughness distribution due to the manufacturing and also running-in process. The experimental measurements were subsequently compared with the modified KE static friction model with Gaussian as well as Pearson distributions of asperity heights. It was found that the model with Pearson distribution captures the experimental measurements well in terms of the surface conditions.