INFLUENCE OF THE DYNAMICS OF FORCED MOTION ON THE STATIC FRICTION IN METAL-POLYMER SLIDING PAIRS

Abstract

The resistance during the frictional interaction of polymeric materials with metallic materials is characterized by a significant dependence on the dynamics of the motion inputs. In a metal-polymer friction pair, the static friction resistance during standstill under load depends on the rate of growth of the force causing the relative motion. Tribological tests of selected (polymer-metal) sliding pairs were carried out. The selected polymers were polyurethane (TPU), polysulfone (PSU), and silicone rubber (SI). They interacted with a pin made of normalized C45 steel under unitary pressure p = 0.5 MPa in dry friction conditions at different gradients of the force driving the relative motion (dF/dt = 0.1-20 [N/s]). The static friction coefficient of the selected sliding pairs was determined on the basis of the recorded static friction force values. The test results show a significant influence of the rate of increase in the motion driving force on the values of static friction resistance. This is mainly due to the viscoelastic properties of polymers.