Engineering Mechanics Lab
3rd SEMESTER
Lab Instructor: Muhammad Ahsan Ali
Name: Muhammad Huzaifa CMS: 404564
Class: ME-14-A
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
(SMME)
Experiment
a) Determination of coefficient of static friction using different materials by
using inclined plane surface.
b) Determination of coefficient of static friction of different materials by using
friction tester device.
Objective
In this experiment, we will find the coefficient of friction of different materials by
sliding them on a steel surface. We would then find static friction (Fs) by applying
the formula (F = μs× N). Then we would perform the experiment using different
materials by applying precision techniques using different loads.
Apparatus
For first experiment ,we will use inclined plane surface as shown:
Blocks of Aluminium,bass,nylon and steel will be used as testing materials.Weight
balance is used to measure weights of the blocks. For second experiment, friction
tester device will be used.
Procedure of experiment no #01:
Place the inclined plane on floor or table and set the value 0 on semi-circular
protractor scale.
First place steel block on the surface of inclined plane and then tilt them until
the steel block slides.
As the objects are slowly tilted, the force of static friction must increase from
zero to counteract the component of the force of gravity that acts along the
interface. Eventually, as the angle increases, that component of the force of
gravity exceeds the maximum value of the force of static friction, and the top
object slides off.
The angle at which one object starts to slip on the other is called angle of static
friction and is directly related to the coefficient of friction as tan(θs)=μs.So, the
coefficient of static friction is equal to the tangent of the angle at which the
objects slide.
Repeat the same process for block of aluminium , nylon, and steel and note the
angle of friction.Then calculate the coefficient of static friction from above
formula.And then calculate the friction force as fs = fsmax = μs × N where N is
normal force and is equal to N = mg cos(θ).
Material Angle(θs) Tan(θs)=μs Mass of materials N= mg cos(θ)
Steel 120 0.212 242 g 2.322
Aluminium 130 0.230 83 g 0.793
Brass 130 0.230 259 g 2.475
Nylon 170 0.305 64 g 0.600
Calculation of friction force:(fs = fsmax= μs × N )
For steel friction force fs= 0.212 × 2.322 =0.49 N
For Aluminium friction force fs=0.230 × 0.793=0.18 N
For Brass friction force fs=0.230 × 2.475=0.56 N
For Nylon friction force fs=0.305 × 0.600= 0.18 N
Procedure of experiment no #02:
In this experiment,there is a horizontal movable flat bed on friction tester
machine on which we put our material.First we place Aluminium on bed.
Aluminium was dragged across the bed when we turn on the machine. There
is a load cell located on machine that measures the initial force required to
move the Aluminium over the bed.
As Aluminium jerk to start motion,we immediately turn off the machine and
note the value measured by load cell.Now double the weight and note the
value measured by load cell.
Repeat the same process for Nylon,brass and steel with weight of 2,4,and 6N
Then find Normal force by using formula. N=mg.
At the end calculate coefficient of friction of by using : μ = F/N
For Brass
Brass Weight N=mg Load cell μ = F/N
value (F)
1 0N 8.64 1.85 0.214
2 2N 10.64 2.35 0.221
3 4N 12.64 2.75 0.218
4 6N 14.64 3.2 0.219
For Aluminium
Aluminium Weight Load cell value N=mg μ=F/N
(F)
1 0N 0.75 2.825 0.265
2 2N 1.3 4.825 0.269
3 4N 1.5 6.825 0.219
4 6N 1.8 8.825 0.203
For Stainless steel
Stainless steel Weight Load cell value N=mg μ = F/N
(F)
1 0N 1.25 8.122 0.153
2 2N 1.6 10.122 0.158
3 4N 2.15 12.122 0.177
4 6N 2.55 14.122 0.180
For Nylon
Nylon Weight Load cell N= mg μ=F/N
value (F)
1 0N 0.05 0.9614 0.052
2 2N 1.1 2.9614 0.37
3 4N 1.8 4.9614 0.3628
4 6N 2.75 6.9614 0.3950
Conclusion:
We perform the experiment and then compare our values of the coefficient of static
friction with those found on the internet. There were some approximations because
it is difficult to judge the exact motion of blocks when they start moving on an
inclined plane surface or over a flat bed on a friction tester. Also, human errors
were involved.
