Friction and degradation of rubber coatings under fretting conditions

Abstract

A fundamental study was conducted to analyze the friction and degradation mechanisms of thin rubber coatings used as fretting corrosion inhibitors. Two elastomers, polyurethane and styreneethylene-butylene (SEBS), were investigated. The mechanisms of wear were studied by analyzing wear scars with optical microscopy. Friction mechanisms were investigated using friction forcedisplacement hysteresis loops and friction force variation with test frequency, fretting amplitude and fIlm thickness. Lastly, coating life variation with these three parameters was studied and explained through a simplified fatigue mechanics approach.