Adhesion of Lubricated Metals

Abstract

IT is evident, both from an examination of the contours of solid surfaces, and from measurements of the electrical conductivity between metals¹, that the real area of contact between two surfaces is only a small fraction of the apparent area of contact. This means that even with quite small loads very large pressures will be developed at the few points of real contact. It has been shown that these pressures are sufficient to cause local adhesion and welding of the surfaces at the points of contact, and that the tangential force required to shear the junctions is a major component of the friction between sliding metals².