Rubber on Ice – Contact Involving Many Unknowns

Vienna/Jülich, 5 April 2016 – Even if it’s too late for winter tyres this year, scientists and tyre manufacturers are continually striving to develop the ideal tyre for use even in extreme conditions. A new study by Vienna University of Technology tested the friction behaviour of rubber on icy surfaces. The researchers compared their results with forecasts obtained with the theory of contact mechanics developed by Jülich scientist Bo Persson and discovered that his model predicted their data almost perfectly.

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