Molecular dynamics calculation of heat dissipation during sliding friction

A novel method of calculation of heat dissipation during sliding between metals was presented by using molecular dynamics. Temperature distribution in the regions near the contact interface was calculated. The calculation results show that plastic deformation in the near-surface regions accounts for most of the friction heat and the temperature increase. Friction heat was built up in the regions subject to plastic deformation. In the case that no plastic deformation occurred, elastic waves contributed mainly to the energy dissipation so that no large heat buildup could take place in the vicinity of the contact regions.