The Coefficient of Friction of High Polymers as a Function of Pressure.

Abstract

Frictional behavior of low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidenefluoride, PTFE, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymers, and tetrafluorethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymers is reported. The experimental values of the coefficient of friction for each polymer agreed well with the values calculated from the pressure/shear strength data, even when this data was extrapolated to higher or lower pressures. It is concluded that the coefficient of friction as a function of pressure can be determined from shear strength measurements, and conversely shear strength as a function or pressure can be estimated from friction measurements of thin films. In general, for thin polymer films, where pressures are usually high, the coefficient of friction will be determined almost entirely by the slope of the shear strength-vs-pressure curve. For bulk polymer specimens the coefficient of friction will be greatly influenced by the intercept on the shear strength axis of that curve and the hardness of the polymer. This accounts for the large difference in the frictional properties between bulk specimens of high-density and low-density polyethylene. (Author, modified-PL)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 16, 1971
Accession Number
AD0726685

Entities

People

  • R. C. Bowers

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alkenes
  • Coefficients
  • Copolymers
  • Dielectric Polymers
  • Ethylenes
  • Films
  • Friction
  • High Density
  • Low Density
  • Measurement
  • Polymeric Films
  • Polymers
  • Shear Strength
  • Thin Films

Readers

  • Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics of Materials.
  • Polymer Science and Engineering.
  • Tribology (the study of the boundary interaction between sliding surfaces, lubrication, wear and friction).

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics