Dynamical friction behavior in a forced oscillator with a compliant contact

Contact compliance, which may arise from elastic deformation near the contact point or in the surrounding structure, affects the dynamical friction behaviors in mechanical oscillators. An idealized model consisting of a mass sliding harmonically on a massless compliant contact produces hysteresis in friction-velocity plots. Dynamical friction features, depending on the contact stiffness, friction level, and the frequency and amplitude of oscillation, are predicted and quantified. Contact compliance can also lead to oscillations at the transition from slip to stick. Experiments and simulations verify the model and tie together phenomena of both continuous sliding and stickslip.