Coefficients of Friction

Question:

I need to identify a material with a high coefficient of friction that will not scratch a painted mortar surface. The surfaces in contact are the mortar painted surface and elastomer or other material being pressed against the painted surface with a normal force of about 200 foot-pounds. We have tested some elastomer materials that claimed a coefficient of friction of 2.6 and have been unsuccessful. Granted, the 2.6 value was based on an ASTM spec done at 0.5 foot-pounds normal force. At the higher loads of 200 foot-pounds is where the materials coefficient of friction reduces to about 0.2. What material types would you recommend that have high coefficient of friction on painted surfaces at high loads? J. G.

Answer:

Since I am a chemist and not a tribologist, I don’t have that information at my finger tips. Furthermore, I’m not really sure I understand your problem. But I can direct you to a table listing coefficients of friction for several materials. The data is shown in Table 10.16, Chapter 10, “Coatings and Finishes” in the Modern Plastics Handbook published by McGraw-Hill in 2000. Hopefully, this information will help you find a suitable material.