Textured Polymer Surfaces Mimicking the Tactile Friction Between Wood and Skin

Abstract

Polymer-based furniture with wood-like visual printing is widely used in domestic and office applications. Although polymers could fulfil the high quality requirements of strength and appearance, they cannot mimic the feel of wood during touch. In this study, polymers with textured surfaces were designed to mimic the tactile friction and naturalness of wood. The influence of a series of factors on tactile friction was assessed. Textured polypropylene surfaces showed a 14.8% reduction in friction, and were more similar to wood compared to un-textured rough polypropylene surface, indicating the significant influence of surface texture on tactile friction. The touch perception test further proved that polymer samples were perceived as more natural with a rough or textured surface than with a smooth surface. This study suggests that, with a detailed design of the surface texture parameter, it is possible to mimic the tactile friction and naturalness of wood by using textured polymers.