A Holistic Approach Towards Surface Topography Analyses for Ice Tribology Applications

Abstract

A surface texture can be subdivided into three categories based on the magnitude of its wavelengths, i.e., macro-geometrical form, waviness, and roughness (from largest to smallest). Together, these components define how a surface will interact with the opposing surface. In most ice tribology studies, <2% of the entire sample surface is topographically analyzed. Although such a small percentage of the entire surface area generally provides statistically relevant information, the missing information about the texture complexity on a larger scale might reduce the possibility of accurately explaining the resulting tribological behavior. The purpose of this study was to review the existing surface measurement methods related to ice tribology and to present a holistic approach towards surface topography measurements for ice tribology applications. With the holistic surface measurement approach, the entire sample surfaces are scanned, and the measured data is analyzed on different magnitude levels. The discussed approach was applied to sandblasted steel samples which were afterward tested on two different ice tribometers. The experimental results showed that additional information about the sample surface topography enabled a better understanding of the ice friction mechanisms and allowed for a more straightforward correlation between the sample surface topography and its ice friction response.

Surface Hierarchy: Macroscopic and Microscopic Design Elements for Improved Sliding on Ice

“…The bearing ratio measures the macroscopic aspect (initially proposed by Abbot and Firestone [12]), however, the "contact area versus slice depth" curve and maps of contact area at different depths show the microscopic and macroscopic contributions. Recent experiments from our group have given insights into slicing from a polishing process [43], but polishing additionally introduces rounding of the contact area. Slicing, as shown in this work, showed that the contact area locations could aid the prediction of balanced sliding or veering to one side of the ice track.…”

Effect of Stainless Steel Surface Macrogeometry and Microgeometry on the Coefficient of Sliding Friction on Ice

“…On the other hand, experimentally oriented studies [16], [24], [29], [31]- [33], [35]- [37], [44] focus on the sliding body's roughness component, ignoring the macro geometry (shape or form). Literature analysis revealed that in previous studies, the surface of the entire solid body is judged considering only roughness parameters obtained in a small, localized area, typically less than 10 % of the entire body surface [15]. In addition, the texture measurements of this already small area are digitally filtered according to ISO 25178-2 recommendations.…”

“…While in reality, full texture defines contact with ice, researchers often use only the filtered roughness component. The schematic representation shows that the contact with ice might be completely misinterpreted by following a standard methodology where only roughness is considered [15]. The author of the Thesis hypothesizes that the interaction of the solid body surface with ice can be reliably evaluated if all surface texture components (form, waviness, and roughness) are considered, as only the combination of these three components provides holistic information about the actual contact area that determines the surface coefficient of friction on ice.…”

“…Schematic representation of the interaction between a sliding body, ice, and liquid-like layer (LLL): a) surface with peaks; b) surface with depressions. In both cases, the surface roughness parameters, such as Sa or Ra, might have the same mathematical value, but the friction on ice differs, i.e., the surface with peaks will increase friction, while the surface with depressions will reduce it [15].…”

“…A Holistic Approach Towards Surface Topography Analyses for Ice Tribology Applications [15]. This paper discusses the newly developed surface macrogeometry and microgeometry measurement methodology in more detail.…”