On the Growth Rate of Thermoelastic Instability

Abstract

Thermoelastic instability (TEI) is known to be directly related to the occurrence of hot spots in friction systems, such as brakes, seals, and clutches. TEI is a failure process where the local frictional heat, thermal expansion, contacting pressure and temperature grow rapidly over a certain critical value of the operating speed. In this article, we examine the rate of growth of instability and establish a link between the wave speed and the configuration of hot spots as well as its penetrating depth. The analysis includes provision for surface roughness and is capable of treating bodies of finite thickness with or without liquid lubrication.