Aspects of asperity-surface interaction and surface damage of rocks during experimental frictional sliding

Mechanisms for the dissipation of energy during the frictional sliding of rocks includes brittle fracture, plastic deformation, frictional heating, and elastic distortion. The first three energy sinks are manifested by surface damage during frictional sliding. Normal load, temperature, and the velocity of the sliding surfaces as well as surface roughness and hardness all influence the nature of surface damage which includes the generation of structures such as wear grooves, gouge, and welded particles.