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Originally Posted by winkosmosis
I figured he was talking about a microscopic scale, as in better chance of bumps on the road biting into the rubber
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That is quite a possibility, but I can't infer something from it that's not in words already, as I would only be guessing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by winkosmosis
I don't know what numbers are but I do remember hearing or reading somewhere that the coefficient of friction changes with downforce per unit area.
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That's a gimme, basic physics. Force is equal to Pressure*Area, so if you increase either of those variables, force increases, and with more force, you get a higher friction coefficient.
This is why it's harder to slide your hand against any surface the harder you push down, to borrow an analogy earlier used in this thread.
To an extent, a smooth surface does offer more capacity for contact than an abrasive surface does. It compares directly to the ability of the friction material to conform to surface irregularities.
I still have to believe that within the realm of street use tires, which fall under a very narrow range of variables, that inflation pressure will not affect basic tractive properties to any noticeable extent on dry asphalt, that wouldn't be within the realm of "noise" in testing, or some non-arbitrary margin of error.