Role of Surface Texture and Roughness on Friction and Transfer Film Formation when UHMWPE Sliding Against Steel

Understanding friction between material pairs is very crucial when utilizing the materials in various applications, including mechanical and biological systems. In the present investigation, efforts were made to study the influence of surface texture and roughness on friction and transfer film formation during sliding of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) pins against steel plates using inclined pin-on-plate sliding tester. In the experiments, various kinds of surface textures, namely unidirectional, 8-ground and random are considered. The roughness of the textures was quantified using optical profilometer. Scanning Electron Microscope was used to study the transfer film formation. It was found that the friction and transfer film formation significantly depends on surface texture when compared to surface roughness (Ra). The variations in friction with surface texture is attributed to the nature of constraints imposed by the surface textures at the asperity level during sliding condition. Keywords— Surface Texture, Roughness, Friction, Transfer film, UHMWPE