Influence of spatial nonhomogeneity on the boundary friction regime

We have analyzed spatial nonhomogeneity of stresses, strain, and temperature of a lubricating layer in synergetic model of boundary friction. Firstly, we consider the motion of interacting surfaces in opposite directions with identical velocities, than we consider the situation when the lower surface is rigidly fixed and the upper is displaced with a fixed velocity. We obtain the spatial profiles of stresses, strains, and temperature in both cases and describe the nontrivial non-Newtonian behavior of the effective shear viscosity of the lubricant. Also we analyze the effect of the temperature of the surfaces and the viscosity of the lubricant on the steady-state friction regime.