Abstract
Frictional characteristics with the change of loading method and normal stiffness at dry sliding surfaces were experimentally and theoretically evaluated in this study. For the study, a ball-on-disk typed test rig was built and implemented, which allowed a proper selection of loading mechanism and normal stiffness of the test rig. Loading method were varied from dead weight to pneumatic cylinder and spring loading, and the normal stiffness was varied by a spring of different stiffness. Test results showed that frictional characteristics at various loading methods were different even though the operating variables were the same. Discrepancy in the frictional characteristics, such as coefficient of friction and fluctuation in the normal load, were explained by the change in dynamic parameters of the test rigs. Results also showed that coefficient of friction, which defines as a ratio of frictional force divided a normal load, could be differently evaluated in the calculation when fluctuation in the normal load was significant.
