Not yet reviewed by Pith; the record is open.

The problem of transient hysteresis cycles induced by the pre-sliding kinetic friction is relevant for analyzing the system dynamics e.g. of micro- and nano-positioning instruments and devices and their controlled operation. The associated energy dissipation and consequent convergence of the state trajectories occur due to the structural hysteresis damping of contact surface asperities during reversals, and it is neither exponential (i.e. viscous type) nor finite-time (i.e. Coulomb type). In this paper, we discuss the energy dissipation and convergence during the pre-sliding cycles and show how a piecewise smooth force-displacement hysteresis map enters into the energy balance of an unforced system of the second order. An existing friction modeling approach with a low number of the free parameters, the Dahl model, is then exemplified alongside the developed analysis.