Effects of Asperities on Stiction and Its Transition to Dynamic Friction in Automotive Latch Parts

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Even when a solid surface looks very flat and smooth, it is rough microscopically with surface asperities in the micro and nanometer scale. These asperities result in unevenness of surfaces and roughness which affects interfacial behaviour such as occurs in low friction surfaces, creaking doors and brake sounds. When two contacting surfaces move relative to each other, frictional force is contributed by adhesion and deformation of the contacting asperities. This has a significant effect on the amount of load needed to initiate sliding of the contacting surfaces including the quality of the seal that is created by the contacting surfaces. Characterizing the effect of surface asperities on stiction and adhesion including its transition to dynamic friction is essential in developing automotive latch parts that reduces the amount of force needed to open and close a car door including creating a quieter cabin as a result of increased sealing provided by the contacting surfaces. Magna Closures, division of Magna International Inc., is a Canadian global automotive supplier headquartered in New Market, Ontario and it is the largest automobile parts manufacturer in North America by sales of original equipment parts, and one of Canada's largest companies. Magna is developing novel automotive latch parts that improves door quality and cabin quietness, which for automakers, are two key customer satisfaction considerations. This project will provide critical experimental data on the frictional forces including the effect of surface asperities on stiction, adhesion and their transition to dynamic friction for the automotive latch parts.