Contact mechanics, friction and adhesion with application to quasicrystals

We discuss the origin of friction and adhesion between hard solids such as quasicrystals. We emphasize the fundamental role of surface roughness in many contact mechanics problems, in particular for friction and adhesion between solid bodies. The most important property of rough surfaces is the surface roughness power spectrum C(q).We present surface roughness power spectra of many surfaces of practical importance, obtained from the surface height profile measured using optical methods and the Atomic Force Microscope.

We show how the power spectrum determines the contact area between two solids. We also present applications to contact mechanics and adhesion for rough surfaces, where the power spectrum enters as an important input.