Tomlinson, S.E., Lewis, R., Liu, X. et al. (2 more authors) (2011) Understanding the friction mechanisms between the human finger and flat contacting surfaces in moist conditions. Tribology Letters, 41 (1). pp. 283-294. ISSN 1023-8883
Abstract
Human hands sweat in different circumstances and the presence of sweat can alter the friction between the hand and contacting surface. It is, therefore, important to understand how hand moisture varies between people, during different activities and the effect of this on friction. In this study, a survey of fingertip moisture was done. Friction tests were then carried out to investigate the effect of moisture. Moisture was added to the surface of the finger, the finger was soaked in water, and water was added to the counter-surface; the friction of the contact was then measured. It was found that the friction increased, up until a certain level of moisture and then decreased. The increase in friction has previously been explained by viscous shearing, water absorption and capillary adhesion. The results from the experiments enabled the mechanisms to be investigated analytically. This study found that water absorption is the principle mechanism responsible for the increase in friction, followed by capillary adhesion, although it was not conclusively proved that this contributes significantly. Both these mechanisms increase friction by increasing the area of contact and therefore adhesion. Viscous shearing in the liquid bridges has negligible effect. There are, however, many limitations in the modelling that need further exploration.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2011 Springer. This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in Tribology Letters. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Skin tribology; Finger friction; Effect of moisture |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Engineering (Sheffield) > Department of Mechanical Engineering (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Miss Anthea Tucker |
Date Deposited: | 07 Mar 2011 16:13 |
Last Modified: | 08 Feb 2013 17:31 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11249-010-9709-y |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Springer |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1007/s11249-010-9709-y |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:42900 |