Establishing a New Tribometer Validation Reference Surface

Abstract

The purpose of our study was to evaluate whether there are differences between measuring the static coefficient of friction (SCOF) of a non-fluid contaminant when it is directly attached to a tribometer test foot, or “Attached”, versus when it is lying loose on the floor, or “Loose”. The non-fluid materials used in this study included Mylar, Cardboard, Terrycloth Bathmat, and Terrycloth Bathmat with Rubberized Silicon Backing; the floor material was porcelain tile. In addition, 10 participants subjectively rated the “slipperiness” of each material by pushing the materials with one foot across the porcelain tile. The findings of this study revealed that within each technique, Attached and Loose, the measurements were consistent and reliable. Furthermore, both techniques resulted in identical ordering of the materials from lowest to highest SCOF, which was verified by the human subjects’ subjective ratings of slipperiness. However, the Loose technique SCOF values were slightly but con...