We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Technology

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Rolling Contact?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 6,581
Share

Rolling contact is a mechanical phenomenon involving rolling bodies like wheels or bearings that come into contact with each other, or surfaces like roadways. At the point where they meet, the relative velocity is zero. This underlies a wide range of mechanical processes, from the toothed gears used in cars to conveyor belts. Researchers study the physics behind rolling contact because it provides important information about how and when bearings fail. It is a special kind of mechanical wear.

In a simple example, two bearings can roll against each other to allow a joint to articulate and move. As they change position, they come into rolling contact. This point may have a relative velocity of zero, but the strain can be very high, because the force is concentrated there. Consequently, rolling contact fatigue tends to develop across the surfaces of the bearings. They can develop cracks, pitting, and other problems, depending on the amount of strain involved in the joint.

The level of friction present in rolling joints can depend on their design, how they are used, and the lubricants that may be added to smooth their movement. Low friction allows a joint to move more seamlessly and functionally, and can reduce strain on the components. It can also cause slipperiness, which may require a tradeoff. With cars, for example, some friction is necessary to help the wheels grip the road, while too much would slow the car down and make it difficult to handle.

Research on rolling contact joints looks at the kinds of conditions that need to be present for components or entire joints to fail. High pressure and high friction tend to increase the failure rate, as do harsh conditions. Dust storms, for example, can drive grit into joints that causes the bearings to wear down more quickly. This research helps engineers determine how to design bearings more effectively to create strong, reliable joints with minimal maintenance needs.

Forms of rolling contact have been in use among human populations for an extremely long time. One of the earliest forms of the bearing was the log roller, which allowed people to move massive objects by pushing them along arrays of logs. People laid out logs, set objects on top, and pushed them. As the logs turned under the objects, they forced them forward onto logs at the front of the cluster. Eventually, individual logs would pop out from underneath, and could be recycled by being placed at the front of the array again.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-rolling-contact.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.