Coefficients Of Friction

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Tribology_Index
Friction Factors
Note: I have tried to include a wide range of relevant information on this topic. It will be noted that friction values in one section do not
necessarily agree with values in another section...Please use the linked references at the bottom of the page for more detailed
information.
Factors Affecting friction..... Static Friction..... Sliding/dynamic/kinetic friction..... Coefficients of Friction.....
Rolling Friction..... Plain Bearings Friction..... Rolling Bearing Friction..... Clutch Brake Friction.....
Bolted Joints..... Power Screws..... Press Fits.... Test Methods.... Linked Reference Info

Factors affecting the friction between surfaces

Dry surfaces
1. For low surface pressures the friction is directly proportional to the pressure between the surfaces. As the
pressure rises the friction factor rises slightly. At very high pressure the friction factor then quickly increases to
seizing
2. For low surface pressures the coefficient of friction is independent of surface area.
3. At low velocities the friction is independent of the relative surface velocity. At higher velocities the coefficent of
friction decreases.
Well lubricated surfaces
1. The friction resistance is almost independent of the specific pressure between the surfaces.
2. At low pressures the friction varies directly as the relative surface speed
3. At high pressures the friction is high at low velocities falling as the velocity increases to a minimum at about
0,6m/s.Thefrictionthenrisesinproportionthe velocity 2.
4. The friction is not so dependent of the surface materials
5. The friction is related to the temperature which affects the viscosity of the lubricant
Please refer to... Surface Friction Notes

Static Coefficient of Friction

The static friction coefficient () between two solid surfaces is defined as the ratio of the tangential force (F) required to produce sliding
divided by the normal force between the surfaces (N)

= F /N
For a horizontal surface the horizontal force (F) to move a solid resting on a flat surface
F= x mass of solid x g.
If a body rests on an incline plane the body is prevented from sliding down because of the frictional resistance. If the angle of the plane
is increased there will be an angle at which the body begins to slide down the plane. This is the angle of repose and the tangent of this
angle is the same as the coefficient of friction.
.
Sliding Coefficient of Friction
When the tangential force F overcomes the frictional force between two surfaces then the surfaces begins to slide relative to each other.
Inthecaseofabodyrestingonaflatsurfacethebody starts to move. The sliding frictional resistance is normally different to the static
frictional resistance. The coefficient of sliding friction is expressed using the same formula as the static coefficient and is generally
lower than the static coefficient of friction..

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Coefficients Of Friction

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Friction Coefficients
A table below shows approximate friction coefficients for various materials. Allvaluesareapproximateandareonlysuitablefor
guidance only. The sliding/lubricated values must be used with extreme care. The only way to determine the accurate coefficient of
friction between two materials is to conduct experiments.
Coefficients of friction are sensitive to atmospheric dust and humidity, oxide films, surface finish, velocity of sliding, temperature,
vibration, and extent of contamination.Inmanycasesthedegreeofcontaminationis perhaps the most important single variable..
Table of Coefficients of Friction

Link

The friction values provided are obtained by different test methods under different ambient conditions. This factor can also affect the
results. Link Test Methods
Rolling Friction
When a cylinder rolls on a surface the force resisting motion is termed rolling friction. Rolling friction is generally considerably less than
sliding friction. If W is the weight of the cylinder converted to force, or the force between the cylinder and the flat surface, and R is
radius of the cylinder and F is the force required to overcome the rolling friction then.
center>F = f x W/R
f is the coefficient of rolling friction and has the same unit of length as the radius R -in the example below m (metres)
Typical values for f are listed below
Note: Values for rolling friction from various sources are not consistent and the following values should only be used for approximate
calculations.

Steel on Steel f = 0,0005m

Wood on Steel f = 0,0012m
Wood on Wood f = 0,0015m
Iron on iron f = 0,00051m
Iron on granite f = 0,0021m
Iron on Wood f = 0,0056m
Polymer on steel f = 0,002m
Hardrubber on Steel f = 0,0077m
Hardrubber on Concrete f = 0,01 -0,02m
Rubber on Concrete f = 0,015 -0,035m

Plain Bearing Friction factors

For values of rolling bearing friction Plain Bearing Friction Values
Rolling Bearing Friction
For values of rolling bearing friction Rolling Bearing Friction Values
Clutch - Brake Friction Values
The coefficient of friction value is important in the design and brakes and clutches.
Various values are provided on the following linked page Clutch/Brake Materials

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Coefficients Of Friction

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Friction coefficient Bolted Joints

The coefficient of friction is required in calculating tightening torques and resulting bolt tensile forces and stress and in calculating the
resulting friction between the connected surfaces. Below are provided a small number of values showing approximate values of friction
coefficients to be used for steel screw fastened connections.Thevaluesareonlyrepresentativevaluesand should be confirmed
against other sources of information and preferably testing.
Coefficient of Friction for screw threads
Female Thread -Nut or Tapped Hole in steel(untreated)
Male screw
Friction Coefficient (Dry) Friction Coefficient (lub)
Untreated Steel
0,12 - 0,18
0,10 - 0,17
Phosphated Steel
0,12 - 0,18
0,10 - 0,17
Cadmium Plated Steel
0,09 - 0,14
0,08 -0,23
Galvanised steel
0,14 - 0,23
0,12 - 0,2
Degreased steel
0,19 - 0,25

Female Thread -Nut or Tapped Hole in steel(Galvanised)

Friction Coefficient
Male screw
Friction Coeffient (Dry)
(Lub.)
Untreated Steel
0,14 - 0,2
0,12 - 0,18
Phosphated Steel
0,14 - 0,2
0,12 - 0,18
Cadmium Plated Steel
0,1 - 0,16
0,09 - 0,15
Galvanised steel
0,14 - 0,25
0,12 - 0,2
Degreased steel
0,19 - 0,25

Coefficient of Friction Nut/Bolt Face against Clamped surface

Clamped Surface = Steel
Friction Coefficient
(Lub.)
Untreated Steel
0,10 - 0,18
0,08 - 0.15
Phosphated Steel
0,10 - 0,18
0,08 - 0,15
Galvanised steel
0,10 - 0,2
0,09 - 0,18
Clamped Surface -Galvanised Steel
Bolt/Nut Mat'l
Friction Coefficient (Dry) Friction Coefficient (lub)
Untreated Steel
0,10 - 0,18
0,08 - 0,15
Phosphated Steel
0,10 - 0,18
0,08 - 0,15
Galvanised steel
0,16 - 0,22
0,09 - 0,18
Bolt/Nut Mat'l

Friction Coeffient (Dry)

Coefficient of friction between surfaces clamped by bolts /screws.

These values allow calculation of the shear force necessary to cause slip between surfaces when clamped by bolts.
Contact Surfaces
Steel On Steel- No treatment
Steel On Cast Iron- No treatment
Steel On Steel- Machined (Degreased)
Steel On Cast Iron- Machined (Degreased)
Grit -Sandblasted surfaces

slip coefficient
0,15- 0,25
0,18 - 0,3
0,12- 0,18
0,15 - 0,25
0,48 - 0,55

Friction Factors for Power Screws

The following factors are typical friction factors for power screw torque and efficiency calculations..
1) Screw Thread Friction values (s)
(Friction factors apply mainly for screw thread friction (s) - can be applied to collar friction( c)
Screw Material
Steel(Dry)
Steel (Lubricated)
Bronze (Lubricated)

Nut Material
Steel
Brass
Bronze Cast Iron
0,15-0,25 0,15-0,23 0,15-0,19 0,15-0,25
0,11-0,17 0,10-0,16 0,10-0,15 0,11-0,17
0,08-0,12 0,04-0,06
0,06-0,09

2) Thrust collar Friction values (c)

Surface Combinations
Soft Steel on Cast Iron
Hard Steel on Cast Iron
Soft Steel on Bronze
Hard Steel on Bronze

Moving
0,12
0,09
0,08
0,06

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Starting
0,17
0,15
0,10
0,08

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Coefficients Of Friction

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Press Fit Mechanical Joints

In mechanical engineering rotary motion can be transferred by mechanical connections between a shaft and hub using only a tight fit.
Methods of achieving this type of connection include the engineered interference fit, the taper lock bush and hydraulic fit bush. These
keyless shaft/hub connections all transfer torque by friction.
The coefficient of friction used for designing these types of connections is dependent on the interface pressure, materials, surface
condition, surface coatings etc. The coefficient of friction is also dependent on the method of installation.Adifferentvalueresultifthe
shaft is forced into the hub (force fit) compared to the value if the assemble is completed by heating the hub or freezing the shaft prior to
assembly (shrink fit)...
Various values of relevant coefficients of friction are provided below;

Steel Hub , Steel Shaft unlubricated - force fit ...C. of Friction = 0,07 to 0,16
Steel Hub , Steel Shaft greased - force fit ...C. of Friction = 0,05 to 0,12
Steel Hub , Steel Shaft unlubricated - Shrink fit ...C. of Friction = 0,15 to 0,25
Steel Hub , Steel Shaft greased - Shrink fit ...C. of Friction = 0,08 to 0,16

The manufacturers of the proprietary keyless hub/shaft systems indicate that their products are based on a coefficient of friction of 0,12
for lightly oiled connections and 0,15 for dry assemblies. These companies can provide surface coating fluids containing particles to
increase the coefficient of friction i.e. coefficient of friction to 0,25 to 0,3. (ref links 1 below)
The American Gear Manufactures Association (AGMA) recommends a value of between 0,12-0,15 for hydraulically expanded hubs and
0,15-0,20 for shrink or press fit hubs.
When calculated the torque to be transmitted it is generally sufficient to use the simple equation
T= ..d2.L.P c/2
d= the shaft diameter
L is the length of the interference joint.
The surface pressure Pc is calculated typically using lame's equation.
Calculators are available for obtaining the transmitted toque very conveniently.
Tribology -abc
Engineers edge - press fit calculatgor
Testing Methods
There are a number of test methods for coefficient of frictions as some of which are listed below

Flat block pressed against a OD of rotating ring (FOR)

Flat block against another flat block (FOF)
Flat block sliding down an inclined runway(IS)
Pin pressed against a OD of rotating ring (POR
Reciprocating loaded spherical end pin pressed on a flat surface(RSOF)

It is clear that the different test methods provide different friction results..

Coefficient of Friction
Extreme care is needed in using friction coefficients and additional independent references should be used. For any specific application
the ideal method of determining the coefficient of friction is by trials.Ashorttableisincludedabovethemaintableto illustrate how the
coefficient of friction is affected by surface films.Whenametalsurfaceisperfectlycleaninavacuum, the friction is much higher than
the normal accepted value and seizure can easily occur.
......The links below the tables provide further information.
Effect of oxide film etc on coefficient of static friction
Material

Clean Dry

Thick
Oxide Film

Sulfide
Film

Steel-Steel

0,78

0,27

0,39

Copper-Copper

1,21

0,76

0,74

The level of uncertainty of the information below is indicated by using steel on steel as an example. Various reference sources provide
values similar to the values below.(0,74 Static- 0,42 sliding) Gieck(7thed)providesvaluesof(0,15...0,30Static- 0,10...0,30 sliding).
Concise Metals Data Handbook by J.R. Davis (table 14,1) includes values (0,31 static -0,23 sliding - for steel 1032? on steel 1032?)..
The same table includes a value for mild steel on mild steel of 0,62 sliding.

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Coefficients Of Friction

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Coefficient Of Friction
Material 1

Material 2

DRY
Static

Test
method

Greasy
Sliding

Static

Sliding

Aluminum

Aluminum

1,05-1,35

1,4

0,3

Aluminum

Mild Steel

0,61

0,47

Brake Material

Cast Iron

0,4

Brake Material

Cast Iron (Wet)

0,2

Brass

Cast Iron

0,3

Brick

Wood

0,6

Bronze

Cast Iron

0,22

Bronze

Steel

0,16

Cadmium

Cadmium

0,5

0,05

Cadmium

Mild Steel

0,46

Cast Iron

Cast Iron

1,1

0,15

0,07

Cast Iron

Oak

0,49

0,075

Chromium

Chromium

0,41

0,34

Copper

Cast Iron

1,05

0,29

Copper

Copper

1,0

0,08

Copper

Mild Steel

0,53

0,36

0,18

Copper

Steel

0,8

SPOF

Copper

Steel (304 stainless)

0,23

0,21

FOF

Copper-Lead Alloy

Steel

0,22

Diamond

Diamond

0,1

0,05 - 0,1

Diamond

Metal

0,1 -0,15

0,1

Glass

Glass

0,9 - 1,0

0,4

0,1 - 0,6

0,09-0,12

Glass

Metal

0,5 - 0,7

0,2 - 0,3

Glass

Nickel

0,78

0,56

Graphite

Graphite

0,1

0,1

Graphite

Steel

0,1

0,1

Graphite (In vacuum)

Graphite (In vacuum)

0,5 - 0,8

Hard Carbon

Hard Carbon

0,16

0,12 - 0,14

Hard Carbon

Steel

0,14

0,11 - 0,14

Iron

Iron

1,0

0,15 - 0,2

Lead

Cast Iron

0,43

Lead

Steel

1,4

SPOF

Leather

Wood

0,3 - 0,4

Leather

Metal(Clean)

0,6

0,2

Leather

Metal(Wet)

0,4

Leather

Oak (Parallel grain)

0,61

0,52

Magnesium

Magnesium

0,6

0,08

Nickel

Nickel

0,7-1,1

0,53

0,28

0,12

Nickel

Mild Steel

0,64;

0,178

Nylon

Nylon

0,15 - 0,25

Oak

Oak (parallel grain)

0,62

0,48

Oak

Oak (cross grain)

0,54

0,32

0,072

Platinum

Platinum

1,2

0,25

Plexiglas

Plexiglas

0,8

0,8

Plexiglas

Steel

0,4 - 0,5

0,4 - 0,5

Polystyrene

Polystyrene

0,5

0,5

Polystyrene

Steel

0,3-0,35

0,3-0,35

Polythene

Steel

0,2

0,2

Rubber

Asphalt (Dry)

0,5-0,8

Rubber

Asphalt (Wet)

0,25-0,75

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Coefficients Of Friction

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Rubber

Concrete (Dry)

0,6-0,85

Rubber

Concrete (Wet)

0,45-0,75

Saphire

Saphire

0,2

0,2

Silver

Silver

1,4

0,55

Sintered Bronze

Steel

0,13

Solids

Rubber

1,0 - 4,0

--

Steel

Aluminium Bros

0,45

Steel

Brass

0,35

0,19

Steel(Mild)

Brass

0,51

0,44

Steel (Mild)

Cast Iron

0,23

0,183

0,133

Steel

Cast Iron

0,4

0,21

Steel

Copper Lead Alloy

0,22

0,16

0,145

Steel (Hard)

Graphite

0,21

0,09

Steel

Graphite

0,1

0,1

Steel (Mild)

Lead

0,95

0,95

0,5

0,3

Steel (Mild)

Phos. Bros

0,34

0,173

Steel

Phos Bros

0,35

Steel(Hard)

Polythened

0,2

0,2

Steel(Hard)

Polystyrene

0,3-0,35

0,3-0,35

Steel (Mild)

Steel (Mild)

0,74

0,57

0,09-0,19

Steel (Mild)

Steel (Mild)

0,62

Steel(Hard)

Steel (Hard)

0,78

0,42

0,05 -0,11 0,029-,12

Steel

Zinc (Plated on steel)

0,5

0,45

Teflon

Steel

0,04

0,04

0,04

Teflon

Teflon

0,04

0,04

0,04

Tin

Cast Iron

,32

Titanium Alloy Ti-6Al-4V(Grade 5)

Aluminium Alloy 6061-T6

0,41

0,38

FOF

Titanium Alloy Ti-6Al-4V(Grade 5)

Titanium Alloy Ti-6Al-4V(Grade 5)

0,36

0,30

FOF

Titanium Alloy Ti-6Al-4V(Grade 5)

Bronze

0,36

0,27

FOF

Tungsten Carbide

Tungsten Carbide

0,2-0,25

0,12

Tungsten Carbide

Steel

0,4 - 0,6

0,08 - 0,2

Tungsten Carbide

Copper

0,35

Tungsten Carbide

Iron

0,8

Wood

Wood(clean)

0,25 - 0,5

Wood

Wood (Wet)

0,2

Wood

Metals(Clean)

0,2-0,6

Wood

Metals (Wet)

0,2

Wood

Brick

0,6

Wood

Concrete

0,62

Zinc

Zinc

0,6

0,04

Zinc

Cast Iron

0,85

0,21

FOR

Coefficient Of Friction
Material 1

Material 2

DRY
Static

LUBRICATED
Sliding

Static

Test
method

Sliding

FOR = Flat against rotating Cylinder, FOF = Flat against flat, POF = Pin on flat, IS = inclined surface,SPOF Spherical end pin on flat.
Source of above values.... The values are checked against a variety of internet and literature sources including the links below eg Link 6Page 16.IhavereferredtobooksincludingMachinerysHandbook Eighteenth edition, Kempes Engineers Year Book 1980, Concise
Metals Handbook by J.R.Davis ASM - (Good source of referenced data) and Kurt Giecks Engineering Formulas 7th Edition.. 1980, etc
etc
Table of friction Values for elements
I provide the table below as a consistent set of values for simple elements using the simplest of test methods. It can be seen that values
are generally different to the values in the table above...
Friction tests in air at room temperature. (50% relative humidity)

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Coefficients Of Friction

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Fixed Surface

Moving Block

Friction
coefficient

Static

Sliding

Test Method

Silver (Ag)

Silver (Ag)

0,5

Incline Plane

Gold(Au)

0,53

Incline Plane

Copper(Cu)

0,48

Incline Plane

Iron(Fe)

0,49

Incline Plane

Aluminium(Al)

Aluminium(Al)

0,57

Incline Plane

Titanium (Ti)

0,54

Incline Plane

Gold(au)

Silver (Ag)

0,53

Incline Plane

Gold(Au)

0,49

Incline Plane

Cadmium(Cd)

Cadmium(Cd)

0,79

Incline Plane

Iron(Fe)

0,52

Incline Plane

Cobalt(Co)

Cobalt(Co)

0,56

Incline Plane

Chromium(Cr)

0,41

Incline Plane

Chromium(Cr)

Cobalt(Co)

0,41

Incline Plane

Chromium(Cr)

0,46

Incline Plane

Copper(Cu)

Cobalt(Co)

0,44

Incline Plane

Chromium(Cr)

0,46

Incline Plane

Copper(Cu)

0,55

Incline Plane

Iron(Fe)

0,50

Incline Plane

Nickel(Ni)

0,49

Incline Plane

Zinc(Zn)

0,56

Incline Plane

Iron(Fe)

Cobalt(Co)

0,41

Incline Plane

Chromium(Cr)

0,48

Incline Plane

Iron(Fe)

0,51

Incline Plane

Maganese(Mg)

0,51

Incline Plane

Molybdenum(Mo)

0,46

Incline Plane

Titanium(Ti)

0,49

Incline Plane

Tungsten(W)

0,47

Incline Plane

Zinc(Zn)

0,55

Incline Plane

Indium(In)

Indium(In)

1,46

Incline Plane

Maganese(Mg)

Maganese(Mg)

0,69

Incline Plane

Molybdenum(Mo)

Iron(Fe)

0,46

Incline Plane

Molybdenum(Mo)

0,44

Incline Plane

Niobium(Nb)

Niobium(Nb)

0,46

Incline Plane

Nickel(Ni)

Chromium(Cr)

0,59

Incline Plane

Nickel(Ni)

0,50

Incline Plane

Platinum(Pt)

0,64

Incline Plane

Lead(Pb)

Silver (Ag)

0,73

Incline Plane

Gold(Au)

0,61

Incline Plane

Copper(Cu)

0,55

Incline Plane

Chromium(Cr)

0,53

Incline Plane

Iron(Fe)

0,54

Incline Plane

Lead(Pb)

0,90

Incline Plane

Platinum(Pt)

Nickel(Ni)

0,64

Incline Plane

Platinum(Pt)

0,55

Incline Plane

Tin(Sn)

Iron(Fe)

0,55

Incline Plane

Tin(Sn)

0,74

Incline Plane

Titanium(Ti)

Aluminium(Al)

0,54

Incline Plane

Titanium(Ti)

0,55

Flat Sliding

Tungsten(W)

Copper(Cu)

0,41

Incline Plane

Iron(Fe)

0,47

Incline Plane

Tungsten(W)

0,51

Incline Plane

Zinc(Zn)

Copper(Cu)

0,56

Incline Plane

Iron(Fe)

0,55

Incline Plane

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Coefficients Of Friction

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Zinc(Zn)

0,75

Incline Plane

Links to Friction Information

1. Carbide Depot.. Friction Coefficients
2. Supercivilcd Com.. Coefficient of Sliding Friction for various civil Materials
3. Fastener Design Manual...NASA GRC RP-1228 (9,6 Mbyte pdf file) Includes comprehensive table with friction
values.
4. Physlinks - Coefficient of Friction...A Table of Friction Coefficients
5. Engineers Edge- Coefficient of Friction...A Table of Friction Coefficients
6. School for Champions...Lots of very useful Notes
7. Bolt Council...Guide to Design Criteria for Bolted and Riveted Joints.(6,7 Mbyte pdf ). Info on Slip coefficients (P.82)
etc
8. MD Metric...Datasheet for PTFE
9. Friction coefficients in "Rail- Wheel" contacts .......Downloadable paper providing very theoretical information
10. Hypertextbooks _Physics Factbooks.....Physics Factbook .A page inlcuding a number of very good (school) articles
on coe-fficents of friction of different materials
11. Fund'ls of Friction and Wear of Automobile Brake Materials .....Paper Download ..Very informative document
12. Classical Friction...A very simple and clear description of what determines the coefficient of friction.
13. 12 Friction...Brown University-Division of Engineering..Very clear document on friction
14. Rolling Friction...Very useful notes on rolling friction

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