School Of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, NUST

ME-115 Engineering Mechanics (Fall 2023)

Name: Muhammad Abdullah Zafar Ghauri CMS: 405642

Section: ME-14 (C) Group: 02

Experiment 1: Determine the Coefficient of Friction using Precision Technique

Objectives: The purpose of the very experiment is to employ precision technique to determine the
value of coefficient of friction for various materials. It is well pertained that the value of coefficient of
friction is actually between the material and the surface of contact. For the very purpose, TM-1356
Precision Friction Force Apparatus has been employed. The main goal of the experiment is to
successfully determine the values of coefficient of friction for following materials :- Nylon (which
shall require the addition of extra weights), Aluminum, Stainless Steel and Brass.

Apparatus:

TM-1356 Precision Friction Force Apparatus

Theory:

• Friction:
The force that resists motion when the surface of one object comes in contact with the surface
of another is called friction.
OR
The force that tends to restrict the motion of a body when it comes in contact with the surface is called
friction.

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 ▪ It is well-pertained that frictional force acts on a body in the direction opposite to that of
motion.

Broader image of frictional force and the other forces co-existing with it
Generally, the frictional force is given by the following formula: -
F=μN
Where F is the Frictional force, N is the Normal force which acts opposite to the weight of body and μ
is the coefficient of friction (which can be both static as well as kinetic).

• Types of Friction:
There are two types of frictions: -
1. Static Friction
2. Kinetic Friction

• Static Friction:
The friction experienced when a stationary object on a surface is compelled to move,
without actually causing any relative motion between the body and the surface on which it is placed is called
static friction.
The formula for Static Friction may be written as follows: -
Fs=μSN
Here, μS is called the Coefficient of Static Friction and it bears no unit, for it is the ratio of two similar
quantities.

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If the angle of inclination is given, the coefficient of friction (both for static and kinetic friction) can be
calculated by taking the tangent of value of the angle θ and vice versa.

θ=tan-1(μ)
μ=tan(θ)

• Kinetic Friction:
Kinetic friction is defined as a force that acts between moving surfaces is
called Kinetic Friction.
The formula for Kinetic Friction may be written as follows: -
Fk=μkN
Here, μk is called the Coefficient of Kinetic Friction and it bears no unit, for it is the ratio of two similar
quantities.

NOTE:
The values of μS and μk are independent of the area of contact of surfaces, while their values are only
dependent to the type of material.
• Merits and Demerits of Friction:
o Merits of Friction:

1. Friction is responsible for the movement of different bodies and surfaces.

2. Responsible for interconversion of energy into different forms
3. Friction helps to produce breaking effect in surfaces, as it basically tends to restrict the motion.
o Demerits of Friction:
1. Friction produces heat which damages the moving parts of a machine.
2. Friction produces wear and tear on the contacting surfaces. This reduces the life of machines,
tires and shoe soles.
3. A lot of energy is wasted due to friction to overcome it before the movement.

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Procedure:

1. In the very beginning, it must be ensured that the apparatus is turned on and the dial gauge is
set to its null value (it can be adjusted by moving the dial either clockwise or anticlockwise).
2. One the apparatus is in running order, the individual blocks of specified material (respectively
as for Nylon, Aluminum, Brass, Stainless Steel) are meant to be weighed on a weighing scale.
This shall yield their mass, which upon multiplication with the gravitational acceleration
(g=9.81033 ms-1) shall yield the weight which is equivalent to the Normal force acting on a
particular material.
3. Let the tray be maneuvered to the right-hand side, at which material block attached with a
string shall be placed on the tray. Rotate the knob to let the tray travel towards the opposite
direction. In such happening, the helical spring shall drive the needle in the gauge to give the
value of force acting on the surface.
4. Let the procedure be repeated about three times for an individual material, afterwards the
material can be switched for a different one.
5. The experiment may be performed in two categories, firstly with material blocks (on their won)
and secondly with additional added weights.
6. The readings may be taken and recorded in the form of a table for future reference.

Readings and Calculations:

Masses and Weights of Materials (Where W=Normal Force) (Without Additional Weights)
i. Mass of Nylon Block: 99g
Weight of Nylon Block: W=mg = (99)(9.81) = 0.97N
Conclusion: The Normal Force acting on Nylon is 0.97N
ii. Mass of Aluminum Block: 288g
Weight of Aluminum Block: W=mg = (288)(9.81) = 2.825N
Conclusion: The Normal Force acting on Aluminum Block is 2.825N
iii. Mass of Stainless-Steel Block: 828g
Weight of Stainless Steel Block: W=mg = (828)(9.81) = 8.122N
Conclusion: The Normal Force acting on Stainless-Steel Block is 8.122N
iv. Mass of Brass Block: 880g
Weight of Brass Block: W=mg = (880)(9.81) = 8.63N
Conclusion: The Normal Force acting on the Brass Block is 8.63N.

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Addendum: The frictional force upon Nylon (as alone cannot be determined even by this method,
for its very small size. It shall be discussed in the additional weight section.
• For Aluminum Block
Normal Force=N=2.825N
Force (F) 𝑭
μ=𝑵
1.2N 0.424
1.3N 0.460
1.2N 0.424
1.1N 0.389
Mean Value of Coefficient of Friction for Aluminum=μ= 0.424
• For Stainless-Steel Block:
Normal Force= 8.122N
Force (F) 𝑭
μ=𝑵
1.1N 0.135
1.2N 0.147
1.15N 0.184
1.2N 0.147
Mean Value of Coefficient of Friction for Stainless-Steel=μ=0.153
• For Brass Block:
Normal Force=N=8.63N
Force (F) 𝑭
μ=𝑵
3.05N 0.353
3.10N 0.359
3.05N 0.353
3.15N 0.365
Mean Value of Coefficient of Friction for Brass = μ=0.357
Masses and Weights of Materials (Where W=Normal Force) (With Additional Weights)
• For Nylon Block:
When Total Weight(N)= 2.98N
Force (F) 𝑭
μ=𝑵
1.10N 0.369
1.15N 0.385
1.10N 0.369
1.20N 0.402
Mean Value of Coefficient of Friction= μ = 0.381

When Total Weight(N)= 5.02N

Force (F) 𝑭
μ=𝑵
2.45N 0.488
2.50N 0.498
2.40N 0.478
2.50N 0.498
Mean Value of Coefficient of Friction= μ = 0.490

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• For Aluminum Block:
When Total Weight(N)= 4.8N
Force (F) 𝑭
μ=𝑵
1.00N 0.208
1.05N 0.218
1.10N 0.229
1.05N 0.218
Mean Value of Coefficient of Friction= μ = 0.218

When Total Weight(N)= 6.85N

Force (F) 𝑭
μ=𝑵
1.25N 0.182
1.30N 0.189
1.30N 0.189
1.40N 0.204
Mean Value of Coefficient of Friction= μ = 0.191
• For Stainless-Steel Block:
When Total Weight(N)= 10.14N
Force (F) 𝑭
μ=𝑵
1.60N 0.157
1.65N 0.162
1.60N 0.157
1.70N 0.167
Mean Value of Coefficient of Friction= μ = 0.160

When Total Weight(N)= 12.15N

Force (F) 𝑭
μ=𝑵
1.90N 0.156
1.80N 0.148
1.85N 0.152
1.90N 0.156
Mean Value of Coefficient of Friction= μ = 0.153

• For Brass Block:

When Total Weight(N)= 10.6N
Force (F) 𝑭
μ=
𝑵
3.45N 0.325
3.40N 0.320
3.35N 0.316
3.40N 0.320
Mean Value of Coefficient of Friction= μ = 0.320

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 When Total Weight(N)= 12.66N
Force (F) 𝑭
μ=𝑵
3.60N 0.284
3.65N 0.288
3.70N 0.292
3.70N 0.292
Mean Value of Coefficient of Friction= μ = 0.289

Results and Discussion:

• It is being kept in place that different materials have their own specific value of
coefficient of friction. What we did in our experiment was that we took some sample
materials (like Nylon, Aluminum, Brass and Stainless Steel) and we had them weighed
at first to determine their masses and ultimately weights were calculated.
• As per the theory discussion, normal force acts on a body in direction opposite to the
weight of body, so we reached to a conclusion that the normal force acting on a body is
equivalent to the weight of body.
• We performed several tests using different materials (as per the calculation tables shown
above) and we observed minute variations in the values (which may seem quite
insignificant).
• In order to study more about the effect on weight (normal force) upon the frictional
force, which was done by adding some extra weights and performing the experiment
with same methodology. Ultimately, a conclusion was reached that the value of
frictional force only increased while greater weight was added.

Conclusion:

• By the following experiment, it was successfully concluded that the frictional force that
acts on a body being in contact with surface is directly proportional to the normal force
acting upon it. (Where the normal force is opposite in direction to weight of body).
• The value of μ is independent of the normal force acting on the body. Rather it is
specific for a particular body being in contact with some surface.
• The coefficient of friction is actually a unitless quantity, as a matter of fact it is the ratio
of two similar quantities. One may calculate its value by taking inverse tangent of angle
upon which the force of friction acts and vice versa.

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