A Thermodynamical Approach to Contact Wear

Wear phenomena due to contact and relative motion between two solids depend on the loading conditions and material mechanical properties. Friction between contacting bodies induces damage of materials, producing surface and subsurface cracks. Particles are detached from sound solids when some local criteria are satisfied at the boundary. By the way as wears occurs, geometrical changes take place and contact conditions are modified, the detached particle induce a specific layer with particular properties. The interface between the bodies is a complex medium made of detached particles, eventually a lubricant fluid, and damaged zones.We propose to describe the evolution of the interface using the framework developed before in order to define the general form of a wear-law.