Sliding friction is one of the oldest problems in physics and certainly one of the most important from a practical point of view. The ability to produce durable low-friction surfaces and lubricant fluids has become an important factor in the miniaturization of moving components in many technological devices, e.g., magnetic storage, recording systems, miniature motors, and aerospace components. This book presents a broad overview of friction and an in-depth treatment of several fundamental and related topics. The emphasis is on experimental and theoretical results obtained during recent years. This monograph will be useful to physicists, chemists, materials scientists, and engineers who want to understand sliding friction. The book (or parts of it) could also form the basis for a modern undergraduate or graduate course on tribology. The author has been honored by the Volvo prize (1981), the Walter-Schottky prize (1996), and the John Yarwood Memorial Medal (1998).

Inhalt

1. Introduction.- 2. Historical Note.- 3. Modern Experimental Methods and Results.- 4. Surface Topography and Surface Contaminants.- 5. Area of Real Contact: Elastic and Plastic Deformations.- 6. Sliding on Clean (Dry) Surfaces.- 7. Sliding on Lubricated Surfaces.- 8. Sliding of Adsorbate Layers.- 9. Boundary Lubrication.- 10. Elastic Interactions and Instability Transitions.- 11. Stress Domains, Relaxation, and Creep.- 12. Lubricated Friction Dynamics.- 13. Dry Friction Dynamics.- 14. Novel Sliding Systems.- 15. Outlook.- References.