Wear Theory. Approaches by Elasticity and Balance Equations

Relative motion between two solids generates two inseparable and irreversible phenomena: friction, i.e. mechanical resistance to this relative motion, and wear, i.e. the loss of material from the opposing bodies. Unlike friction, which has positive and/or negative consequences, the wear and tear of rubbing parts in mechanisms and manufacturing tools has only negative aspects, and must be controlled. However, contact involves two antagonists, and it is often desirable to concentrate wear phenomena, a priori unavoidable, on one of the two parts, the easier and less costly to change. In material forming processes, it is important to minimize tool damage and wear, while ensuring that the formed part has good dimensions and a good surface appearance. It should also be noted that the aim of abrasive machining processes is to remove material from the machined part (a wear process) at the highest possible speed, while minimizing damage and wear to abrasive agents.

As wear needs to be taken into account in the design of machines and manufacturing operations, the aim of this article is to provide models for predicting the wear rate of rubbing parts and thus controlling their service life.

In the article [TRI500] , the Preston-Archard law was presented and discussed. It describes the effect on the wear volume V of the normal force P and the sliding length L, using the wear speed k. Within a certain range of validity, when thermal effects remain limited, a sliding contact can be characterized by its wear speed :