Influence of adhesion on the sliding and rolling friction

Yet in 1934, one of the authors had developed the molecular friction theory explaining the external friction by dissipation of energy on the molecular unevenness of the bodies in friction. This theory distinctly determines the role of adhesion in the processes of the external sliding friction. The adhesion forces are used in this theory only for explaining deviation from the Amonton's law expressing the proportionality of the friction force to the normal load.

The rolling friction process (in the absence of deformations) represents a process of formation and breakage of adhesion bonds. Using the electron theory as the basis, the mechanism of influence of the electrostatic component of adhesion on the rolling friction is considered, the electrostatic component being attributable to the formation of a double electric layer when solids are in friction, and when its plates are separated as the contact is broken.