Annoyed about coefficient of friction -- What is lowest possible?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the lowest known coefficients of friction, exploring various materials and conditions that may affect these values, such as temperature and specific applications like biological systems.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the lowest coefficient of friction known and whether temperature affects this value.
  • Another participant states that steel on ice has a coefficient of friction of 3% and notes that this coefficient can increase with temperature.
  • A different participant references a claim of a coefficient as low as 0.4%, citing a specific study where an alumina ceramic body sliding against a silicon nitride ceramic body in water achieved a coefficient of 0.004.
  • Another participant mentions that synovial joints in humans have a coefficient of friction of 0.3%, providing a link to a source.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present various values for coefficients of friction from different materials, indicating a lack of consensus on a single lowest value. Multiple competing views remain regarding the lowest achievable coefficients.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific materials and conditions, but the discussion does not clarify the assumptions or definitions used in determining the coefficients of friction.

Dinheirow
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Just wondering, what would be the lowest coefficient of friction value we know nowadays? From what material is it? Does the temperature between two surfaces interferes on the friction coefficient value?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Steel on ice = 3%

Coefficient can go up with temperature.
 
Cool, thanks
 

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