Effect of electrical charge on the tribological behaviour in high speed automotive applications

Summary

When two electrical contacts are sliding against each other at high speed, the friction, wear and lubrication mechanisms could be greatly impacted. Therefore, the material performance and lifespan will be significantly influenced due to heat generation, operating speed, material degradation, arcing and corrosion. The surface condition and operating conditions for those tribological contacts can be further complicated by the surface charges. Electrical contacts become an important area to address in tribological application of electric vehicles.

This project will focus on tribological mechanisms of surfaces with/without electrical charges in an industrial application in automotive engineering. You will validate the modified tribological test apparatus and study the effects of the different charges, operating conditions, and/or surface coatings on the friction and wear mechanisms in that industrial application. You will also inform the design changes of the test platform and implement those changes.

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