The frictional behavior of UHMWPE films with different surface energies at low normal loads

The relationship between initial coefficient of friction, A, and surface energy (or attractive force) for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) film is modeled and experimentally measured at low normal loads (15-75 mN) The results show that the initial coefficient of friction increases exponentially with increasing attractive force between a silicon nitride ball and visco-elastic soft UHMWPE film There is a strong influence of the normal load on this relationship for the polymer surface in the above-mentioned load range. The magnitude of the initial coefficient of friction decreases for UHMWPE film in the higher normal load regime because of its visco-elastic and soft nature as earlier proposed by Bowden and Tabor (C) 2009 Elsevier B V All rights reserved