Title: Experimental kinetic friction coefficient (μk) determination in the interface polycarbonate blade and flat rubber-belt when interacting with ore, lubricant and pressure

Authors: Jairo A. Martins, Istvan Kovesdy, Jose D. Bressan

Addresses: Department of Bucking Machines Handling and Conveyor Components Engineering, Metso Minerals, Av. Independencia, 2500 Iporanga, 18087-101, Sorocaba SP, Brazil. ' Department of Bucking Machines Handling and Conveyor Components Engineering, Metso Minerals, Av. Independencia, 2500 Iporanga, 18087-101, Sorocaba SP, Brazil. ' Center of Technological Sciences – CCT – Santa Catarina State University UDESC, Campus Prof. Avelino Marcante s/n, Bom Retiro – 89223-100, Joinville-SC, Brazil

Abstract: It is well known that even the most advanced Finite Element Analysis (FEA) version is not able to predict friction coefficients among materials. This paper presents an alternative and experimental method based on Design of Experiments (DOE) to determine the friction coefficient between polycarbonate blades against rubber belt. Those experiments correlate ore, lubricant and pressure to determine the friction coefficients in the interface between these materials with polycarbonate and rubber belt. The experiments results are of extreme importance for polycarbonate application on belt conveyor scraper and other applications involving polymeric surfaces under friction.

Keywords: friction coefficient; polycarbonate blades; ore; rubber belts; DOE; design of experiments; mining; lubricants; pressure; belt conveyor scrapers; polymeric surfaces.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2010.035315

International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering, 2010 Vol.2 No.2, pp.159 - 168

Published online: 21 Sep 2010 *

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