01

Presentation
Coefficient of friction on
threaded fasteners in the
automotive industry
Erik Galdames
Bach. of Eng., Chem.
Xativa, Spain

Contents
Introduction
Standards and specs
Symbols
Test of coefficient of friction
Formula of Kellermann-Klein
Origin of formula of coefficient of friction
Total coefficient of friction
Bearing surface under the head of the bolt
Influencing factors on coefficient of friction
Coating systems
ISO 16047
Standards and specs of coefficient of friction
Requirements of coefficient of friction

International basic vocabulary

Introduction
Tightening process
10% ge ne rate s
clamping force

40% used in
overcoming
friction on the
thread

50% used in
overcoming
friction under
the head

Introduction
Coefficient of friction of bolted joints is determined measuring force and torque. It is a standardized
method that uses a formula in which F and T mainly and dimensional characteristics of the bolt/nut to
be studied
Mating surfaces and reference bolts/nuts are to be the same and agreed so that results are
reproducible and used for comparison
This test is not suitable to predict behaviour of assembly problems but can give some hints of how the
tightening will be
Variations of this test under real conditions in the automotive industry can be used in order to predict
behaviour at the assembly (e.g. VDA 235-203)

Bolt

Bearing plate

Reference nut

F
Measuring
cells

Nut holder
Tb

Tth = T Tb

Introduction
The method of calculation is the linear relationship between clamping force and torque
below the yield point of the bolt
An axial force is produced when a bolt is tightened against a bearing surface and a nut by
means of a pair of forces (torque). This force elongates the bolt and compresses the
bearing surfaces in contact, i.e. two opposite forces are produced
Not all torque is used to generate clamping; most of the torque applied is used to overcome
friction
50% of torque is used in overcoming friction under the head of the bolt, 40% on the thread
and only 10% is used to generate clamping force

Compression/Elongation

Equilibrium of forces

Standards and specs

DIN 946
(withdrawn)

Bestimmung der Reibungszahlen von Schrauben und Muttern unter festgelegten

Bedindungen

ISO 16047

Fasteners Torque/Clamp force testing

Renault 01-50-005

Elments de fixation Contrle du coefficient de frottement

PSA C10 0054

Vis goujons crous Aptitude au frottement

Ford WZ100 and

WZ101

Steel Metric Threaded Fasteners Torque/Clamping Force Performance

VDI 2230

Systematische Berechnung hochbeanspruchter Schraubenverbindungen Zylindrische

Einschraubverbindungen

EN 14399-2

Aptitud de uniones atornilladas HV. Ensayo de fuerza y par de apriete

ISO 2320

Prevailing torque type steel nuts. Mechanical and performance properties

Symbols
ISO 16047:2005
d

Nominal diameter

Fu

Ultimate clamp force

d2

Thread flank diameter (basic pitch diameter of

thread)

Fy

Yield clamp force

d4

Hole diamater of equipment

Torque

dh

Hole diameter of the washer or support plate

Tth

Thread torque

Do

Outer diameter of the bearing surface

Tb

Bearing surface torque (bearing surface and

under the head of the bolt/nut)

Dp

Diameter of plain area of bearing plate

Pitch

Db

Diameter of bearing surface under nut or bolt

head for friction (theoretical or measured)

Rotating angle

LC

Clamp length

th

Coefficient of friction on the thread

Lt

Length of complete thread between bearing

surfaces

Coefficient of friction on the bearing surface

and under bolt head/nut

Clamping force

tot

Total coefficient of friction

FP

Proof load acc. to ISO 898-1, ISO 898-2 o ISO

898-6
7

Test of coefficient of friction

A torque is applied to a bolted joint made of a bolt, a nut and a bearing surface to generate a clamping
force with a rotating unit driven by an encoder motor
Torque and clamping force are measured by the measuring head
Normally, only clamping force, total torque and torque on the bearing surface under the bolt head can
be directly measured. Torque on the thread is calculated through a formula. A graph representing force
and torque is represented. The coefficient of friction is represented through the relation between these
two values
160

140

Torque/Ma [Nm]

120

100

80
60

40

20

0
0

10

20

30

40

50
60
Clamping Force/Fv [kN]

Ma/Fv-_001.PRB
ges_UL-_001.PRB
ges_LL-_001.PRB
Ma/Fv-_002.PRB
ges_UL-_002.PRB
ges_LL-_002.PRB
Ma/Fv-_003.PRB
ges_UL-_003.PRB
ges_LL-_003.PRB
70
80
Ma/Fv-_004.PRB
ges_UL-_004.PRB
ges_LL-_004.PRB
Ma/Fv-_005.PRB
ges_UL-_005.PRB
ges_LL-_005.PRB
Ma/Fv-_006.PRB
ges_UL-_006.PRB
ges_LL-_006.PRB
Ma/Fv-_007.PRB
ges_UL-_007.PRB

90

100

Formula of Kellermann-Klein
The formula for determination of
coefficient of friction is base on the work of
Kellermann-Klein
This formula of Kellermann-Klein was
published in 1956 by Rudolf Kellermann
and Hans Christof Klein in the essay
Bercksichtigung des Reibungszustandes
bei der Bemessung hochwertiger
Schraubenverbindungen

1 P 1,154 th d 2
Do d h

T F
b
(10)
2

P
4
1,154 th

d2

Origin of the formula of coefficient of friction

When clamping force is below the yield point of the
bolt, coefficient of friction is directly proportional to
torque and inversely proportional with clamping force
When coefficient of friction is higher, torque is
higher, clamping force is lower
When coefficient of friction is lower, torque is lower,
clamping force is higher
Tightening process of a bolt can be decomposed as
an object moving upwards through a slope. Formula
of Kellermann-Klein is determined through the study
of this movement

Tightening of a bolt

Pitch
Pitch

1/2xPitch

Unfolded helix

Helix

Pitch angle

Cifcumference of the circle

10

Total coefficient of friction

Kellermann-Kleins formula is too complicated to use
it as it is and it is simplified for practical usage
It is assumed that friction under the head and friction
on the bearing surface is the same, making the
formula easier to use
The general method for calculation simplifies partial
coefficient of friction under the head and on the
thread through
tot= th + b)/2
tot= th = b

tot

T P

F 2

Db
0,577 d 2
2

Uncertainty of 1% to 2%
To determine coefficient of friction it will be
necessary to know:
T, Tb, F, measured by equipment
Tth is calculated through T = Tb + Tth then, Tth = T Tb
P, d2 y Db Dimensional parameters of the bolt/nut
Target values of T and F are obtained through a table
for the different dimensions of bolts/nuts

It is necessary to know the characteristics of the bolt

(diameter, pitch, flank diameter, PC)
Clamping force applied is 75% of proof load acc. to
ISO 16047

F values are determined through ISO 898-1, ISO

898-2 (ISO 16047)
11

(5)

Bearing surface under the head of the bolt

D03 d h3
Db
3 D02 d h2

Db
Hex bolt

Do d h
2

Hex bolt with washer

Hex flange bolt

Do

Do

Do

dh

dh

dh
12

Influencing factors on coefficient of friction

Lubricants adjust coefficient of friction and reduce variability of friction. They
adjust coefficient of friction on a certain window so that friction is more regular.
Their action relies on the interfering action caused by the molecules of lubricant
between the mating surfaces and thus, friction is reduced
Modern coating systems incorporate solid lubricants in their formulation. Thus,
not only corrosion protection is obtained; lubrication is additionally among their
properties
In practice, the following factors have an influence on coefficient of friction:
Surface treatment. Type of coating (metallic, zinc flake coatings, lubrication, layer
thickness, dirt)
Bearing surface. Hard surface (e.g. roughness, heat treated, non-heat treated steel,
aluminium, KTL)
Geometry of the head. Pan head screw, hexagonal bolt, hex flange bolt, diameter of
the head, washer
Thread of the mating nut. With coating, without coating, with or without oil.
Manufacturing process of the nut
Testing conditions. Temperature, humidity, speed of rotation

Values of coefficient of friction can be adjusted but these factors may influence
their predictible behaviour dramatically if out of control or when there is too much
variation

13

Influencing factors on coefficient of friction

Lubricants based on emulsions in water can be applied such as waxes, oils and solid
lubricants in water mixes (e.g. PE, PTFE, PAK, molybdenum bisulfide). They are dried after
application and they provide a stable coefficient of friction
Solid lubricants or sealers with solid integrated lubricants provide less variation of
coefficient of friction than liquid or lubricants in water emulsions and provide better results
in automated assembly
Solid lubricants also provide better repeated assembly
Variation of coefficient of friction will be higher when working with > 0,14. The tend to
scatter more
Values under < 0,08 are difficult to adjust and are not desirable, since self-loosening
effect may appear
Values over 0,25 do not produce sufficient tightening, so there is a high risk of fatigue
fracture
Values under 0,06 can lead to ultimate clamping load. High risk of fracture.
There are some bolted unions that request coefficient of friction of 0,06 to 0,09
Uncontrolled lubrication such as oil spraying on the workshop could lead to lower
coefficient of friction and unsafe bolted unions. This may lead to ultimate clamping force
and thus, bolt fracture. This situation must be avoided

14

Coatings

Coatings and lubricants help improving friction behaviour and offer less variation
of values of coefficient of friction
Coatings for bolted joints in the automotive industry consist mainly on:
Phosphate + post-treatment
Electroplated Zn or Zn alloys (ZnNi, ZnFe) + post-treatment
Zinc flake coatings + post-treatment

As post-treatments, the following materials are available:

Lubricants
Waxes
Oils
PTFE
MoS2

Sealers with integrated lubricants

Anorganic sealers
Organic and anorganic sealers

Organic coatings with integrated lubricants

Sealers with integrated lubricants offer corrosion resistance and temperature

resistance besides lubrication properties

15

ISO 16047

Uncertainty 2%
Room temperature, 10C to 35C, 24 h after coating application
Applied clamping force, 75% of proof load 0,75F P (see ISO 898-1, ISO 898-2)
Rotation speed = 10 a 40 rpm (M1,6 to M16), 5 to 15 rpm (M16 to M39)
Bearing plate or washer type HH or HL
Roughness Ra = 0,5 0,3 m (Ra < 1,6 m and Ra < 3,2 m washer type HL)
Tolerance of flatness acc. to ISO 4759-3, section 3.5.3
Surface
a) Blank and degreased
b) Zinc plating A1J acc. to ISO 4042 and degreased
Minimum thickness according to ISO 7093-1
Hardness 50 to 60 HRc (200 to 300 HV for washer type HL)
Hole diameter dh, acc. to ISO 273, medium series, without chamfering
Reference nuts for bolt testing
A) ISO 4032 and ISO 8673 class 10 uncoated nuts and degreased.
B) Zinc plated nuts A1J ISO 4042 and degreased
Reference bolts for testing nuts
Uncoated and degreased bolts ISO 4014, ISO 4017, ISO 4762, ISO 8765, ISO 15071, ISO 15072
Zinc plated bolts A1J acc. to ISO 4042 and degreased

16

Standards and specs of coefficient of friction

tot
F
Temperature
Rpm
Uncertainty
Bearing surface

Roughness
Tolerance flatness

Dimensions
Reference nuts
Nut surface

ISO 16047

Ford WZ100

Ford WZ101

VOLVO STD
5511,72

BMW GS90003-1
GS90003-2

--

N/A

0,14 0,03

0,12 0,18

0,09 0,15

75% Fp

75% Fp

75% Fp

75% Fp

See tables on
GS9003-2

10C a 35C

RT

RT

10 35C

10C a 35C

10 a 40 rpm M<16

<30 rpm

30 10 rpm < M16

10 25 rpm

10 25 RPM

2% F, T,

3% F, 2% T

2% F, T

2% F, T

2% F, T

200 300HV (HL)

50 60 HRC (HH)

Steel
500 600HV

Steel
200 250HV

8.8 200-250 HV
10.9 = 300 400 HV
12.9 = 350 450 HV

Type HH 50 60 HRC

Ra 1,6 3 mm; Ra
3,2 3 < h 6 mm

N4-N5 ISO 1302

Ra 1,2 a 1,6 m

Ra 1,6 max

Ra 1,6 max ( h 3 mm)

Ra 3,2 max (> h 3 mm

See ISO 4759-3

class A

// 4%

// 4%

// 4%

See ISO 4759-3

class A

Acc. to standard

Acc. to standard

Acc. to standard

Acc. to standard

Acc. to standard

ISO 4032, 8673, 4033,

8674 6H

Thread ISO 965/1 6H

ISO 4032 6H

ISO 4032 6H

ISO 4032, 8673, 4033,

8674 6H

Uncoated, oil free

S309
zinc plated passiv. lubr.

Uncoated, oil free

Uncoated oil free

Uncoated, oil free

ISO 965/1 6g

ISO 4014 6g

ISO 965-2 6g

ISO 965-2 6G

S309
zinc plated passiv. lubr.

Uncoated, oil free

Uncoated, oil free

Uncoated

Reference bolt

Bolt surface

Uncoated, oil free

17

Requirements of coefficient of friction

0,06

0,07

0,08

0,09

0,10

0,11

0,12

0,13

0,14

tot

0,15

0,16

VDA 235-101

th, b

th, b

VW 011 29

tot (*)

tot

tot (*)

BMW GS 90003-1

th, b

tot

th, b

tot

Ford WZ 101
tot

GMW 3359, GMW 3044

Volvo STD 5511,72

tot
tot

Renault 01-50-005C
PSA C10 00 54

Low Friction tot

Normal Friction tot

(*)Interval enlarged to include uncertainty of measurement of coefficient of friction

18

0,17

0,18

International basic vocabulary

Spanish

English

French

German

Italian

Coeficiente de friccin

Coefficient of friction

Coefficient de frottement

Reibungszahl

Coefficiente dattrito

Par de apriete, momento de

apriete

Tightening torque

Couple de srrage

Anziehdrehmoment

Coppia di serraggio,
momento di serraggio

Carga, tensin

Clamp force

Tension

Vorspannkraft

Precarico, tensione

Carga de prueba

Proof load

Tension dpreuve

Prfkraft

Carico di prova

Carga de rotura

Ultimate clamp force

Tension de rupture

Bruchkraft

Carico di rottura

Lmite elstico

Yield point

Limite dlasticit

Streckgrenze

Limite desnervamento

ngulo de giro

Rotating angle

Angle de rotation

Drehwinkel

Angulo di giro

Tornillo

Bolt, screw

Vis, boulon

Schraube

Vite, bullone

Tuerca

Nut

crou

Mutter

Dado

Arandela

Washer

Rondelle

Scheibe

Rosetta

Esprrago

Stud

Goujon

Stiftschraube

Prigioniero

Rosca

Screw thread

Filetage

Gewinde

Filetto, filettatura

Superficie de apoyo

Bearing surface

Surface dappui

Auflageflche

Superficie sottotesta

Agujero de paso

Clearance hole

Taraudage

Durchgangsloch

Foro de passo

Paso de rosca

Pitch

Pas

Steigung

Passo

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THE END

Gracias por su atencin!

Thanks for your attention!
Bedankt voor uw aandacht!
Danke fr Ihre Aufmerksamkeit!

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