Static friction coefficient of some plastics against steel and aluminum under different contact conditions

The static friction behavior was investigated in the case of POM-based polymers containing additives, designated DE20076, DE100KM and DE 12017 as well as Nylon-66 designated ZY103HSL, when in contact with AISI 1045 steel and 6061 aluminum alloy. A designed apparatus that detects the exact moment corresponding to the transition from rest to slip was used to measure the coefficient of static friction. The impact of normal load, dwell time before slip, apparent area of contact and lubrication by water and paraffin oil on the static friction characteristics was studied. A decrease of the static coefficient of friction with low normal load followed by a levelling off governed by its effect on the real area of contact and stiffness of the counterface was observed. This also yielded a linear decrease of slip acceleration as well as stick time. A polynomial equation, which increases monotonically, was found to express well the effect of stick time on static friction, independently of the materials in contact. Adhesive effects were generated by the presence of both lubricants with the result of increase of the static coefficient of friction. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.