THE INFLUENCE OF THIN FATTY ACID FILMS ON TRIBOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF A DISCRETE CONTACT OF METAL SURFACES

Abstract

The values of the coefficient of friction in a single ball–plane contact have been measured experimentally under small normal loads ( 0,5-5 mN). The contact parts are made of steel. The experiments have been carried out with thin fatty acid films layered on a flat contact part. The fatty acids have various molecular lengths. Experimentally obtained values of the specific force of friction at a microscale level are higher than similar values known from literature and obtained in experiments at a macroscale level.

Keywords

• friction coefficient
• specific force of friction
• fatty acids