The Determination of the Compatibility of Metals through Static Friction Tests

Abstract

Static friction coefficients were measured for pairs consisting of 20 elemental metals. The 210 friction values were compared against the metallurgical compatibility ratings of the corresponding two phase alloy systems. Soft metals gave higher friction than harder metals, and at the same hardness level there was a steady trend to lower friction in going from like, to compatible, to intermediate, and then to incompatible combinations. The results are interpreted in terms of the surface energy model of friction, and used to derive values for the surface energy of adhesion of metal combinations in terms of their compatibility rating.