The Effects of Friction Between Cylinders and Rubber Staves of Finite Thickness

An analysis was conducted which predicts the contact stresses and deflections in rubber staves of finite thickness loaded against a shaft in rubbing contact. Results are given which cover the practical range of coefficients of friction and thickness ratios likely to occur in bearings and similar applications. The main conclusions of the analysis are that friction shifts the contact zone toward the trailing edge of the stave and that the contact zone increases as rubber thickness is increased. Thick staves, therefore, are prone to edge loading at the trailing edge.