The prevention of disturbing noises in the context of the automotive environment contributes to increasing vehicle quality and creates a pleasant driving atmosphere by minimising unwanted noise sources. In view of the current changes in vehicle interiors, which are increasingly developing into comfort zones, noise caused by friction is becoming increasingly important alongside tactile and visual design and must be taken into account. At the same time, the automotive industry is continuously endeavouring to further develop materials in terms of sustainability. OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and their suppliers are therefore faced with the challenge of identifying material combinations that are free from disturbing noise sources. The stick-slip behaviour of material combinations is of particular relevance here, as stick-slip is a frequent cause of disturbing noises and can be avoided through the targeted selection of suitable materials.

There are already test methods for characterising stick-slip behaviour, which are applicable in principle, but are often limited in their significance. In particular, it is known in tribological research that the frictional properties of materials depend very much on the state of the tribological system. Any deviation from the real pairing could involve a change in the frictional behaviour. Therefore, an increasingly realistic reproduction of the real system in the laboratory is favoured.

This lecture will therefore focus in particular on the progress made in research into extended test methods. There is a clear trend towards increasingly realistic simulations of material combinations, taking into account real load scenarios and this is of course associated with various challenges in terms of realisation, analysis and interpretation.