Thermoelastic instability of sliding contact in the absence of wear

Abstract Thermoelastic instability of sliding contact is investigated analytically for the case of a scraper or blade sliding normal to its line of contact on a thermally conductive semi-infinite body. Frictional heating and transient heat transfer in the bodies are treated along with the pressures produced on the line of contact by these. Conditions are found under which a pressure disturbance on the interface will grow, diminish in intensity, or remain unchanged. The effects of material properties on these conditions are delineated.