Fall

2011

Lab # 04 Horizontal Plane and Friction ML325 Mechanics of Machines

Submitted To:Sir Abid Hassan

Submitted by:
Muhammad Ebrahem Khalid 090752 BEME V A

Horizontal Plane and Friction

Objective:
To determine the angle of friction, coefficient of static friction and coefficient of dynamic friction of various materials on a horizontal steel plane

Apparatus:
1. 2. 3. 4. Steel plane Sliders (Brass, Steel, Aluminum, Nylon) Thread Weights with weight hanger

Theory:
Friction - help or hindrance? Cars and trains need brakes to enable them to stop, but friction in their mechanisms wastes energy. A motor bicycle can run round a comer because of the friction between the tyres and the road surface, but the wind resistance of the driver and vehicle governs its top speed. Friction is the outcome of one surface sliding over another (sliding friction), or it may also be the maximum resistance prior to the start of sliding (static friction). The friction force acts in the plane of the surfaces and experiment shows that it is proportional to the force holding the surfaces together. The ratio of the friction force to the normal force is called the coefficient of friction for the pair of surfaces. Friction is affected greatly by any lubricant between the surfaces, so for the purpose of this experiment the surfaces must be clean, dry and free from grease. It is possible that the surface may contain a dry lubricant in the material; for example cast iron contains graphite in the form of minute particles of carbon. Plastic compounds are also available like PTFE impregnated with molybdenum disulphide. At the other end of the scale comes material for brakes and clutches. Here the object is to develop a high coefficient of friction, and to make sure the heat generated does not destroy the material. The roughness of the mating surfaces must also be a factor, and as a consequence wear becomes an issue. The subject of friction with all its variables and consequences comes under the general heading of tribology. However this experiment deals simply with the measurement of the coefficient of friction between pairs of surfaces at zero or low speeds.

Procedure:
The surfaces used in this test must be cleaned for the experiment and kept free from corrosion when not in use. The adjustable steel plane is to be positioned on a firm bench so that the load on the hanger passes the edge of the bench as it descends. Clamp the plane in the 0 position and use a spirit level to ensure the whole apparatus is level. Weigh all the trays (including cord) and load hanger and record.

Part 1: Static Friction between two surfaces

Place the steel tray on the horizontal steel channel at the end remote from the pulley. Attach the towing cord and arrange it over the pulley with the load hanger suspended. Add load to the hanger until the tray will continue to slide at roughly constant velocity after being given a slight push to start it moving. Record this load in table 1. You may find that you need to lightly tap the bench which the unit is on or the apparatus itself to induce movement in the tray. Also ensure that the hanger is not swaying before loading. Repeat the above procedure with four increments of 1 N placed in the tray.

Part 2: Sliding Friction between two surfaces

With as many sliders as are available, gently add weights to the load hanger until the stationary slider plus a 5 N load suddenly moves. Record the load as the static friction hanger load in table 2. Then while the slider is moving, remove weights from the slider until it stops. Record the load as the sliding friction hanger load in table 2.

Observations & Calculations:

Material Load Hanger Aluminum / Steel Brass / Nylon Mass (kg) 0.05 0.6975 0.1953 Weight (N) 0.4905 6.8425 1.9159

Table 1 Stainless Steel on Stainless Steel

Tray Load (N) 0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 Normal Force N Sliding Force F (Hanger Weight + Load Applied) (N) Friction coefficient

(N) 6.84 7.84 8.84 9.84 10.84

s = F/N

Table 2
Slider Material Steel Aluminu m Brass Nylon Weight 6.8425 6.8425 1.9159 1.9159 Normal Force N 11.8425 11.8425 6.9159 6.9159 Static Friction Hanger Force F s = F/N Sliding Friction Normal Force N 11.8425 11.8425 6.9159 6.9159 Hanger Force F k = F/N

Comments:

Sources of Error: