Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 20, 2026

The Role of Fabric in Frictional Properties of Phyllosilicate-Rich Tectonic Faults
Published on: November 6, 2021
Slippery but Tough: The Rapid Fracture of Lubricated Frictional Interfaces
E Bayart1, I Svetlizky1, J Fineberg1
1The Racah Institute of Physics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
Abstract:
We study the onset of friction for rough contacting blocks whose interface is coated with a thin lubrication layer. High speed measurements of the real contact area and stress fields near the interface reveal that propagating shear cracks mediate lubricated frictional motion. While lubricants reduce interface resistances, surprisingly they significantly increase the energy dissipated Γ during rupture. Moreover, lubricant viscosity affects the onset of friction but has no effect on Γ. Fracture mechanics provide a new way to view the otherwise hidden complex dynamics of the lubrication layer.
More Related Videos
09:21Experiments on Ultrasonic Lubrication Using a Piezoelectrically-assisted Tribometer and Optical Profilometer
Published on: September 28, 2015
09:48A Friction Testing-Bioreactor Device for Study of Synovial Joint Biomechanics, Mechanobiology, and Physical Regulation
Published on: June 2, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Characteristics of Dry Friction
Before the wheelbarrow starts moving, the static frictional force acts tangentially to the contact surface, opposing the force that is about to induce the motion. This frictional force prevents the...
Dry Friction
To illustrate this concept, imagine a wooden crate resting on a rough, non-uniform horizontal surface. When an external force is applied to...
Frictional Force
Types of Friction Problems
The first type of dry friction problem involves situations where there is no apparent impending motion....
Design Example: Deciding Thickness of Lubricating Fluid in a Shaft
To calculate the required thickness of the lubricant layer, the tangential velocity at the shaft's surface must first be determined. This velocity is calculated by converting the rotational speed to angular velocity...
Kinetic Friction