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Flash temperature in sliding contacts: Comparing theory with experiments
1Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 730000 Lanzhou, China; and MultiscaleConsulting, Wolfshovener Str. 2, 52428 Jülich, Germany.
The Journal of Chemical Physics
|August 12, 2026
Summary
This study validates a flash temperature theory for rough surfaces. The analytical model accurately predicts temperature increases during steel-on-steel sliding, aligning well with experimental data.
Area of Science:
- Tribology
- Materials Science
- Mechanical Engineering
Background:
- Friction and wear are significantly influenced by temperature increases at solid contact points.
- Understanding flash temperature is crucial for predicting material behavior under sliding conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally validate an analytical theory for flash temperature.
- To assess the theory's applicability to randomly rough surfaces with multiscale roughness.
Main Methods:
- An analytical theory based on stress and temperature correlation functions was employed.
- Theory predictions were compared against experimental results from steel-on-steel sliding tests.
- The theory's validity for multiscale roughness was investigated.
Main Results:
- Good agreement was observed between the analytical theory's predictions and experimental data.
- The theory is effective for randomly rough surfaces across multiple length scales.
- Experimental uncertainties were considered in the validation.
Conclusions:
- The analytical flash temperature theory is a reliable tool for predicting temperature rise in sliding contacts.
- The theory's robustness extends to surfaces with complex, multiscale roughness.
- Further refinement of experimental inputs like surface roughness and hardness can enhance prediction accuracy.
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