Listing of the coefficient of sliding friction values for a variety of hard clean materials - Succeed in Physical

Science. Also refer to Physics, sliding, static, kinetic, surface roughness, clean, oxidation, lubricated, greased,
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Coefficient of Friction Values for Clean

Surfaces
by Ron Kurtus (2 November 2005)
Engineering laboratories have measured the coefficient of friction for a number of materials and have tabulated the
results. These coefficient of friction values apply only to hard, clean surfaces sliding against each other. Since
various experimental parameters such as surface conditions are not listed, considerations should be made in using
these tabulated values because they may not directly relate to your application.
Questions you may have include:
What considerations must be made in using such tables?
Why are surface conditions important?
What are the coefficient values?
This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.
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Considerations
The information available on the various coefficients of friction provide a starting point on the subject, but
unfortunately the values lack a good scientific basis. The values should be used just as a guide.

Surface roughness
Effective scientific measurements typically state the exact condition of materials and that of the surrounding
environment. In the determination of the coefficient of friction of various materials, it is important to at least given
an indication of the surface roughness of the tested materials, as well as their physical condition.

Test setup
Describing the test setup is important in order to allow others to duplicate and verify the measurements. With
friction, the normal force can be a factor in the case of hard materials that may deform slightly under high pressure.
That value should be part of the test description.

Testing environment
It is also important to state the testing environment. Although it is unlikely measurements were made under extreme
temperature and humidity conditions that affect the coefficient, at the very least those items should be noted.

Surface conditions
Other effects like oxidation of a metal surface, dirt, water or grease can dramatically change the coefficient of
friction for the given materials.

Effect of oxidation
For example, clean dry steel sliding on steel has a coefficient of friction of = 0.78, but if the surface has oxidized,
the coefficient changes to = 0.27.
Likewise, clean dry copper sliding on copper has a coefficient of = 1.21, while oxidized copper has a value of =
0.76.

Need to know surface conditions

The biggest problem in using values established by others in such tables is that you do not know the actual surface
condition of the materials used or how the values were determined.

Table
The following chart lists the static and kinetic coefficient of frictions for a variety of common material
combinations. In most cases, the materials are assumed to be clean and dry. A few are listed as being wetted by
water.
These values are the average of those from a number of sources. In some cases there are no values listed for the
static friction coefficient or for the kinetic. Also, a few list a range of values.
Since the quality of the surfaces is not mentioned, you should only use these readings as a guide. It is best to
measure the coefficients for your specific materials and conditions of use to obtain accurate values.

Material 1

Material 2

Static

Kinetic

Aluminum
Aluminum
Brake Material
Brake Material
Brass
Brick
Bronze
Bronze
Cadmium
Cadmium
Cast Iron
Cast Iron
Chromium
Copper
Copper
Copper
Copper-Lead Alloy
Diamond
Diamond
Glass
Glass
Glass
Graphite
Graphite
Graphite (in vacuum)
Hard Carbon
Hard Carbon
Iron
Lead
Leather
Leather
Leather
Leather
Magnesium
Nickel
Nickel
Nylon
Oak
Oak
Platinum
Plexiglas
Plexiglas
Polystyrene
Polystyrene

Aluminum
Mild Steel
Cast Iron
Cast Iron (wet)
Cast Iron
Wood
Cast Iron
Steel
Cadmium
Mild Steel
Cast Iron
Oak
Chromium
Cast Iron
Copper
Mild Steel
Steel
Diamond
Metal
Glass
Metal
Nickel
Graphite
Steel
Graphite (in vacuum)
Hard Carbon
Steel
Iron
Cast Iron
Wood
Metal (clean)
Metal (wet)
Oak (parallel grain)
Magnesium
Nickel
Mild Steel
Nylon
Oak (parallel grain)
Oak (cross grain)
Platinum
Plexiglas
Steel
Polystyrene
Steel

1.05 - 1.35
0.61
0.4
0.2
0.6
0.5
1.1
0.41
1.05
1.0
0.53
0.22
0.1
0.1 - 0.15
0.9 - 1.0
0.5 - 0.7
0.78
0.1
0.1
0.5 - 0.8
0.16
0.14
1.0
0.3 - 0.4
0.6
0.4
0.61
0.6
0.7 - 1.1
0.15 - 0.25
0.62
0.54
1.2
0.8
0.4 - 0.5
0.5
0.3 - 0.35

1.4
0.47
0.3
0.22
0.46
0.15
0.49
0.29
0.36
0.4
0.56
0.43
0.52
0.53
0.64
0.48
0.32
-

Polythene
Rubber
Rubber
Rubber
Rubber
Sapphire
Silver
Sintered Bronze
Solids
Steel
Steel
Steel (mild)
Steel (mild)
Steel
Steel
Steel (hard)
Steel
Steel (mild)
Steel (mild)
Steel
Steel (hard)
Steel (hard)
Steel (Mild)
Steel (hard)
Steel
Teflon
Teflon
Tin
Tungsten Carbide
Tungsten Carbide
Tungsten Carbide
Tungsten Carbide
Wood
Wood
Wood
Wood
Wood
Wood
Zinc
Zinc

Steel
Asphalt (dry)
Asphalt (wet)
Concrete (dry)
Concrete (wet)
Sapphire
Silver
Steel
Rubber
Aluminum Bros
Brass
Brass
Cast Iron
Cast Iron
Copper Lead Alloy
Graphite
Graphite
Lead
Phos. Bros
Phos Bros
Polythene
Polystyrene
Steel (mild)
Steel (hard)
Zinc (plated on steel)
Steel
Teflon
Cast Iron
Tungsten Carbide
Steel
Copper
Iron
Wood (clean)
Wood (wet)
Metals (clean)
Metals (wet)
Brick
Concrete
Zinc
Cast Iron

0.2
0.2
1.4
1.0 - 4.0
0.45
0.35
0.51
0.4
0.22
0.21
0.1
0.95
0.35
0.2
0.3 - 0.35
0.74
0.78
0.5
0.04
0.04
0.2 - 0.25
0.4 - 0.6
0.35
0.8
0.25 - 0.5
0.2
0.2 - 0.6
0.2
0.6
0.62
0.6
0.85

0.5 - 0.8
0.25 - 0.75
0.6 - 0.85
0.45 - 0.75
0.44
0.23
0.95
0.34
0.57
0.42
0.45
.32
0.21

Summary
Coefficient of friction for a number of materials have been tabulated. These values apply only to hard, clean surfaces
sliding against each other. Since various experimental parameters are not listed, considerations should be made in
using these tabulated values because they may not directly relate to your application.
Answers to Readers' Questions