The Formation of a Modified Surface Layer on Elastomeric Materials

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Tribology
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Surface modification of elastomers during sliding contact influences their mechanical properties and friction.
• Understanding the formation and characteristics of these modified surface layers is crucial for predicting elastomer behavior.
• Elastomers reinforced with silica are widely used, making their surface modification a key area of study.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the formation of a modified surface layer on silica-reinforced elastomers during sliding friction.
• To determine the influence of contact pressure, velocity, and counter-surface roughness on layer formation.
• To develop a predictive model for the volume of the modified surface layer formed.

Main Methods:

• Sliding friction experiments were conducted using a pin-on-disc tribometer.
• Key parameters varied included contact pressure, velocity, and counter-surface roughness.
• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to analyze the existence and characteristics of the modified surface layer.

Main Results:

• The formation of a modified surface layer is a result of the balance between layer formation rate and wear rate.
• Layer formation is dependent on contact pressure, velocity, and sliding distance.
• A general formulation for calculating the volume of the formed layer was proposed, alongside a formation map.

Conclusions:

• The formation of a modified surface layer on silica-reinforced elastomers is controllable by adjusting sliding parameters.
• The developed formulation and map provide valuable tools for predicting and optimizing elastomer surface modification in tribological applications.
• This research contributes to a deeper understanding of elastomer-friction interactions and surface engineering.