Coefficients of Friction for Various Materials

The tables below demonstrate the values of static friction between two materials in a lubricated and non-lubricated situation. If motion is added between the materials, this will greatly affect the friction values. The values below are intended to be generic specifications. Valves may vary depending on the material's composition and surface finish, therefore for accurate values, tests should be conducted to determine accurate values.

Coefficients of Friction Between Steel & Assorted Materials

MATERIALS COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION
CLEAN LUBRICATED
Steel 0.80 0.16
Copper-lead alloy 0.22 --
Phospher-bronze 0.35 --
Aluminum-bronze 0.45 --
Brass 0.35 0.19
Cast iron 0.40 0.21
Bronze -- 0.16
Sintered bronze -- 0.13
Hard carbon 0.14 0.11 to 0.14
Graphite 0.10 0.10
Tungsten carbide 0.40 to 0.60 0.10 to 0.20
Plexiglas 0.40 to 0.50 0.40 to 0.50
Polystyrene 0.30 to 0.35 0.30 to 0.35
Polythene 0.20 0.20
Teflon 0.04 0.04

Coefficients of Friction Between Various Materials

MATERIAL COMBINATION COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION
CLEAN LUBRICATED
Aluminum & aluminum 1.35 0.30
Cadmium & cadmium 0.50 0.05
Chromium-chromium 0.41 0.34
Copper & copper 1.00 0.08
Iron & iron 1.00 0.15 - 0.20
Magnesium & magnesium 0.60 0.08
Nickel & nickel 0.70 0.28
Platinum & platinum 1.20 0.25
Silver & silver 1.40 0.55
Zinc & zinc 0.60 0.04
Glass & glass 0.90 to 1.00 0.10 to 0.60
Glass & metal 0.50 to 0.70 0.20 to 0.30
Diamond & diamond 0.10 0.05 to 0.10
Diamond & metal 0.10 to 0.15 0.10
Sapphire & sapphire 0.20 0.20
Hard carbon & carbon 0.16 0.12 to 0.14
Graphite & graphite (vacuum) 0.50 to 0.80 --
Graphite-graphite 0.10 0.10
Tungsten carbide & tungsten carbide 0.20 to 0.25 0.12
Plexiglas & Plexiglas 0.80 0.80
Polystyrene & polystyrene 0.50 0.50
Teflon & Teflon 0.04 0.04
Nylon & nylon 0.15 - 0.25 --
Solids & rubber 1.00 to 4.00 --
Wood & wood (clean) 0.25 to 0.50 --
Wood & wood (wet) 0.20 --
Wood & metals (clean) 0.20 to 0.60 --
Wood & metals (wet) 0.20 --
Brick & wood 0.60 --
Leather & wood 0.30 to 0.40 --
Leather & metal (clean) 0.60 --
Leather & metal (wet) 0.40 --
Leather & metal (greasy) 0.20 --
Brake material & cast iron 0.4 --
Brake material on cast iron (wet) 0.20 --