Effects of Fiber Diameter and Tribotest Conditions on Nonlubricated Frictional Behavior of a Microsized Metal Fiber

Experimental determination of the frictional properties of a microsized fiber wrapped around a cylinder has been of long-standing interest to the academic community. The purpose of the current experiments was to explore the diameter dependence of such microsized fibers in nonlubricated friction using a highly accurate tribometer. For this work, NbTi superconducting material was used for the fibers and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was used as the cylinder material. Significant effects were observed in the kinetic friction coefficient for different fiber diameters, normal forces, and sliding speeds. Moreover, the effects of fiber diameter on the frictional stability were measured. Smaller fiber diameters and low sliding speeds both produced poor frictional stability. The most likely explanation for the observed stick-slip phenomena is hypothesized to be a combination of creep mechanics and plastic deformation of the junctions on the contacting surfaces.