Why Is the Coefficient of Friction Crucial in Engineering Applications?

[zubbylight]

Homework Statement

Why do brakes and clutches need high coefficient of friction?

Homework Equations

Pls give applications where engineers need to have materials having low values for the coefficient of friction

The Attempt at a Solution

 

[poporo]

Friction is very important for both Brakes and clutch pads. Given that friction is a measure of how hard it is to slide one object over another, brake pads slow the speed of wheels down by pushing against a spinning disc. The higher the coefficient of friction, the harder it is for the disc to continue spinning against the pad. Therefore if no more work is put into spinning the disc (lifting one's foot off the gas pedal), friction will cause the disc to stop spinning when the brake pad is applied. The higher the coeff. of friction, the faster the car can brake.

I'm not too keen on how clutches work, but this article should explain everything just fine: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/clutch1.htm

 

[zubbylight]

thank you all for ur contributions... really appreciate it.
Cheers

 

[pongo38]

some bridge bearings need to be sliding joints, requiring a low coefficient of friction. PTFE is often used.

 

[DeeNos]

The coefficient of friction is a measure of the resistance to motion between two surfaces in contact. In the case of brakes and clutches, a high coefficient of friction is needed to provide enough frictional force to stop or slow down a moving object. Without a high coefficient of friction, the brakes and clutches would not be able to effectively stop the vehicle or machine.

On the other hand, there are also situations where engineers need materials with low coefficients of friction. This is particularly important in applications where there is constant movement or rubbing between two surfaces, such as in bearings or gears. In these cases, a low coefficient of friction is desired to reduce wear and tear on the materials and improve their longevity. Additionally, in industries such as aerospace or automotive, low friction materials are used to reduce energy consumption and improve efficiency.

Overall, the coefficient of friction plays a crucial role in various engineering applications and the appropriate value is determined based on the specific requirements and conditions of the system.