A study on mechanism of snow surface friction by paying attention to static frictional force

Abstract

Several theories about the friction on snow and ice have been suggested. The frictional melting theory was proposed by Bowden and Hughes has widely been borne out. However, there are some phenomena that are difficult to explain by this theory. In contrast, the adhesion theory related to shearing force of snow or adhesion force in real contact area was proposed by Tusima and Takeda et. al. The major difference of two theories depends on existence of melted water by friction. In this study, we have measured the coefficient of friction statically/dynamically on snow surface. The influence of grain size of snow, temperature, material of slider, and contact time/velocity has been investigated experimentally. In comparison of the results, the mechanism of low friction on snow has been considered. It suggested the possibility that kinetic friction is the same mechanism as static one.