As an ice skater I cannot understand why I need to sharpen my blade very often since the hardness of steel is higher than that of ice for sure. Since steel is much harder than ice, how can ice change the shape of steel?
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Friction affects both surfaces. The material which is 'harder' is not immune to wear while the 'softer' material wears down. Both materials are worn down, to a different extent. Some of the ice breaks off the floor, some of the steel breaks off the skate.
The relative amount of wear depends (inversely) on the relative hardness of the surfaces. Two 'hard' surfaces made of the same steel wear down equally. The fact that they are equally 'hard' does not mean that they are both immune.
The amount of wear is greatest where the pressure between the surfaces is highest. This is at the sharpest edges or points. Skates need a sharp edge to control sideways motion. But a sharp edge wears down quicker than a blunt edge.
See also Why is it easier to glide on sharp ice skates than on dull skates? and Ice skating, how does it really work?
sammy gerbil
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