Ice vs. Teflon : coefficent of friction

In summary, ice on ice has a lower coefficient of friction than teflon on teflon. This makes ice a potential lubricant or anti-friction surface in applications such as skating rinks, skis, snowboards, and icebreaking boats. Pressure and temperature both play a role in making ice slippery, and traditional Inuit dogsleds even use a smooth coating of ice on their runners to reduce drag over both ice and snow.
  • #1
rollingstein
Gold Member
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I knew ice was slippery, but looking at a table of coefficents of friction today it seems that ice on ice yields a lower μs value than even teflon on teflon.

Is that really true? If so, does ice have much of an application as a lubricant or anti friction surface outside of skating rinks?

I was wondering...
 
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  • #3
Ice is slippery when lubricated with water. Pressure is one way to produce it, the other one is temperature.
 
  • #4
Application areas: Skis, snowboards, skates, bobsled, luge, iceboats, avalanches, snowblowers, icebreaker hulls, river-bridge foundations, roofing, automotive exterior finishes, etc all concern interfaces to (and within) ice and snow. Traditional Inuit dogsleds use a smooth coating of ice on the runners to reduce drag over both ice and snow.
 
  • #5


Yes, it is true that ice has a lower coefficient of friction than Teflon. This is due to the molecular structure of ice, which allows for a very smooth surface. However, this low coefficient of friction only applies to ice surfaces and does not necessarily translate to other surfaces. Therefore, ice does not have many practical applications as a lubricant or anti-friction surface outside of skating rinks. In fact, ice can often cause problems as a lubricant, as it can melt and refreeze, creating uneven surfaces and increasing friction. Teflon, on the other hand, has a wide range of applications as a lubricant and anti-friction material due to its low coefficient of friction and resistance to high temperatures.
 

What is the coefficient of friction for ice?

The coefficient of friction for ice can vary depending on the surface it is on, but on average it is around 0.01 to 0.03.

What is the coefficient of friction for Teflon?

The coefficient of friction for Teflon is very low, typically around 0.04 to 0.05. This is due to its smooth and non-stick surface.

How does the coefficient of friction for ice compare to Teflon?

The coefficient of friction for ice is generally lower than Teflon, making it more slippery. However, this can also depend on the surface and conditions.

Why is Teflon often used as a non-stick coating?

Teflon has a very low coefficient of friction, making it an ideal material for non-stick coatings. This means that food or other substances are less likely to stick to its surface.

How does the coefficient of friction affect the performance of ice skates and non-stick pans?

The coefficient of friction plays a crucial role in the performance of ice skates and non-stick pans. A lower coefficient of friction allows for easier movement and less resistance, while a higher coefficient of friction can provide more grip and stability.

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