The mechanism of friction of ice

The kinetic friction between ice and ice was measured at temperatures of −1, −5 and −15°C and at velocities of 0.5,1, 2 and 3 m s−1 under normal loads of 10, 30 and 45 N. The results show that the coefficient of friction depends on temperature, velocity and normal load. The coefficient of friction between ice and some other material was calculated by assuming that the friction is caused by a water film on the contact surface which is produced when the frictional heat melts ice into water. The calculations are in reasonable agreement with experimental results giving the correct dependence on velocity and normal load, thus explaining the main part of the kinetic friction and providing some insight into the mechanism of the kinetic friction of ice.