Experimental investigation of the friction coefficient between aluminium and steel

Abstract

The coefficient of friction for steel–aluminium contact surfaces has been determined. The test was conducted by using a testing machine active on the basis of the twist-compression test. A flat plate of aluminium was placed under pressure between two steel dies. One of the dies (the upper one) was capable of rotating while the other (the lower one) was stationary and attached to a load cell that was used for measuring the torque and force on the flat plate. By using a strain bridge data logger, the coefficient of friction can be found within 0.75-second intervals. The results show that the friction coefficient for steel-aluminium interfaces started at an initial value of 0.2, increased to almost 0.8 in the elastic region, and then decreased to the value of 0.6 in the plastic region. Key words: friction; coefficient; steel; aluminium 1.