FRICTION COEFFICIENT DETERMINATION BASED ON THE RESULTS OF BALL-ON-FLAT TEST

The interaction of contacting surfaces in relative motion is basic for every engineering design. The transmission of load from one rubbing surface to its mating surface under conditions of dry contact is taken into account. Microlocal or global models of friction are used to describe this phenomenon. In global approach, frictional force is proportional to normal load. A coefficient of external friction depends on the type, shape, and precision of finishing the surfaces of mating elements. The aim of the paper is analysis of a friction coefficient for 2024T3 aluminium alloy during cyclic tangential loading. Experimental tests are carried out on a ball-on-flat wear-testing machine Ducom. Tests of reciprocating friction are carried out using the following friction pairs of specimens: the ball specimen is made of high strength aluminium alloy PA25 and the plane specimen is made of 2024T3 alloy. Finally, graphs of temporary friction coefficients versus time in the form of fluctuated periodical functions are obtained. Two phases of friction are detected. However, during the first stage, the friction coefficient is relatively small while in the second period it rapidly increases and tends to become more irregular. Static and dynamic friction coefficients are estimated. In order to determine the dynamic coefficient the Discrete Fourier Transformation is used. The calculation of the dominant amplitude (corresponding to test frequency) of the studied functions is possible due to this method. An increase of the friction coefficient with an increase of normal load is observed. A cladding layer also causes an increase of friction, especially in the second phase