What Is the Coefficient of Kinetic Friction for Greasy Aluminum on Carbon?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the search for the coefficient of kinetic friction between greasy aluminum and carbon, which is not readily available online. Participants highlight the complexity of determining this coefficient, emphasizing that it varies based on factors like the type of grease, surface properties, and testing conditions. A suggested value of 0.15 +/- 0.03 is mentioned, but there is skepticism about its accuracy without specific testing. It is noted that published data on lubricating greases typically comes from manufacturers. Ultimately, conducting personal experiments is recommended for obtaining a reliable coefficient for specific applications.
nilsvoorkamp1
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
I need the coefficient of kinetic friction for movement between greasy aluminium on carbon.
It's nowhere to be found on the internet.

Thanks in advance!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
nilsvoorkamp1 said:
Summary:: I need the coefficient of kinetic friction for movement between greasy aluminium on carbon.
It's nowhere to be found on the internet.

Thanks in advance!

on carbon.
Graphitic? Amorphous? Diamond?
nilsvoorkamp1 said:
Summary:: I need the coefficient of kinetic friction for movement between greasy aluminium on carbon.
It's nowhere to be found on the internet.

Thanks in advance!

greasy aluminium
Anodized? Hard? Soft?
 
  • Like
Likes berkeman
nilsvoorkamp1 said:
Summary:: I need the coefficient of kinetic friction for movement between greasy aluminium on carbon.
It's nowhere to be found on the internet.

Thanks in advance!

I need the coefficient of kinetic friction for movement between greasy aluminium on carbon.
It's nowhere to be found on the internet.

Thanks in advance!
You could also try to measure it yourself.
 
  • Like
Likes berkeman
nilsvoorkamp1 said:
I need the coefficient of kinetic friction for movement between greasy aluminium on carbon.
0.15 +/- 0.03

You're welcome. :smile:
 
  • Like
Likes anorlunda
berkeman said:
0.15 +/- 0.03

You're welcome. :smile:
Thanks for your reply!
Do you have the source of where you find this number?
 
Bystander said:
Graphitic? Amorphous? Diamond?

Anodized? Hard? Soft?
hard
 
nilsvoorkamp1 said:
Summary:: I need the coefficient of kinetic friction for movement between greasy aluminium on carbon.
It's nowhere to be found on the internet.

Thanks in advance!

I need the coefficient of kinetic friction for movement between greasy aluminium on carbon.
It's nowhere to be found on the internet.

Thanks in advance!

Greasy? As in lubrication? Your answer is going to be more about the grease than the aluminum and carbon. Although the texture of the aluminum and carbon will have effects on the grease, the coefficient of friction will depend on the viscosity of the grease which will in turn depend on the temperature and pressure (and of course the make up) of the grease. Heck, it will depend on how old the grease is and how long it has been working. This information will be measured. It can’t reasonably be calculated. The only place you will find published tables for the measured behavior of a lubricating grease will be from the manufacturer of the grease.

As an example, here is a paper turned up in a quick internet search that highlights the complexity of the behavior of the coefficient of friction of lubricating grease.

https://res.mdpi.com/d_attachment/l...-00042/article_deploy/lubricants-05-00042.pdf
 
  • Informative
Likes anorlunda
berkeman said:
0.15 +/- 0.03

You're welcome. :smile:
I suspect it's more like 0.15+/- 0.5, depending on the details of the grease and the surfaces. I don't think you can nail it down nearly that precisely without more information.
 
  • Like
Likes berkeman
cjl said:
I suspect it's more like 0.15+/- 0.5, depending on the details of the grease and the surfaces. I don't think you can nail it down nearly that precisely without more information.
Do you have a source for that?
 
  • #10
There is no such thing as an exact coefficient of friction between two materials. The friction is a function of the materials, their surface properties, surface roughness, surface topology, speed, load, lubricant properties, amount of lubricant, entrance conditions (is the leading edge sharp or upturned like a ski?), and more. Some search terms are Stribeck curve, tribology, friction, and coefficient of friction.

There is an SAE paper, 950698, titled Variation of Friction in a Strip Test Apparatus with Controllable Drawbead Penetration, that goes into the reasons why the friction coefficient changed (for example) from 0.15 to 0.075 and back to 0.15 during a single test. It was not due to the Stribeck curve. And it was repeatable with different materials, lubricants, and test conditions.

If you need a reasonably accurate friction coefficient, you will need to do your own testing.
 
  • Informative
Likes berkeman
  • #11
nilsvoorkamp1 said:
Do you have a source for that?
No, but I don't think I need a source for saying that the friction coefficient can vary widely depending on the details of the grease, surfaces, etc.
 
  • Like
Likes berkeman
  • #12
cjl said:
No, but I don't think I need a source for saying that the friction coefficient can vary widely depending on the details of the grease, surfaces, etc.
I'm talking about the value 0.15. I understand the number is not exact but that's ok. So i just want to put it in my project but I can't do that without showing where I got it form besides an internet forum.
 
  • #13
My point with that statement is that 0.15 isn't a number that you should use. It could be off by a factor of 2 or 3 (or more). You really need to test your setup to figure out what the number should be.
 
  • #14
nilsvoorkamp1 said:
So i just want to put it in my project but I can't do that without showing where I got it form besides an internet forum.
Is this for schoolwork?
 
  • #15
Thread closed temporarily for Moderation...
 
Back
Top