  In this work, we analyse the stick-slip motion of a soft elastomeric block on
a smooth, hard surface under the application of shear, which is induced by a
puller moving at a steady velocity. The frictional stress is generated by
make-break of bonds between the pendent chains of the elastomeric block and
bonding sites on the hard surface. Relation between velocity and frictional
stress has been estimated using the bond-population balance model. Stick-slip
motion occurs when the pulling velocity is lower than a critical value. Unlike,
the rate-and-state friction model which views the stick-slip motion as a limit
cycle, we show that during the stick phase, the sliding surface actually sticks
to the hard surface and remains stationary till the shear exerted by puller
causes rupture of all bonds between contacting surfaces. The major fraction of
the bonds undergo catastrophic rupture so as to cause the sliding surface to
slip and attain a significantly higher velocity than the pulling velocity.
During the slip phase, the sliding friction is balanced by rapid make-break of
weak bonds. As the sliding velocity decreases, the bonds undergo aging and the
adhesion stress increases. When the bond adhesion stress exceeds the pulling
stress, the contacting surfaces stick together. We have mathematically modeled
both the stick and the slip regimes using the bond-population balance model. We
have validated the model using the experimental data from the work of
Baumberger et al (2002) on sliding of an elastomeric gelatine-gel block on a
glass surface.
