Why does rubber have high friction?
Vroom! Tyre manufactures have spent decades trying to find out why rubber is so 'sticky'.
Asked by: Harper X, Dublin
Despite decades of research into the frictional properties of rubber by tyre manufacturers, the precise causes of the ‘stickiness’ of rubber are still the subject of argument. Current theories suggest that when rubber moves over smooth surfaces, it’s the molecular forces between the two that are the main cause of friction. But when the surface is rough, it’s the deformation of entire molecular layers of rubber that’s the chief cause of friction.
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Authors
Robert is a science writer and visiting professor of science at Aston University.
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