Abstract：The infrared radiation of rock in the process of shearing viscosity sliding is experimentally studied by the use of bi-axial loader and thermal infrared (TIR) imager system. It is revealed that the loading rate，normal stress，roughness of friction surface，rock strength and the hardness of mineral grain are important factors that affect the TIR radiation of rock sliding. (1) In condition of constant loading rate，the curve between the average TIR radiation temperature of rock surface and the loading time is linear，while the curve between the local highest TIR radiation temperature and the loading time is cubic. The average TIR radiation temperature of rock surface is linearly related to the mechanical power suffered. If the mechanical power suffered is the same，the higher the loading rate is，the less the rise of TIR radiation temperature is. (2) The TIR radiation temperature is linearly related to the normal stress. (3) The roughness of friction surface has a small influence on the average TIR radiation temperature，but has a much higher influence on the local highest TIR radiation temperature. (4) The higher the rock strength or the higher the hardness of the mineral grains is，the higher the TIR radiation temperature is.
