The experimental tests on the friction coefficient between the leaves of the multi-leaf spring considering a condition of the friction surfaces

In this study are presented the results of the simulation tests of the friction pairs occurring between the spring leaves while considering a condition of the mating surfaces and an impact of the velocity of their mutual dislocation on the values of the friction coefficients. It has been proposed a methodology in respect of a determination of the coefficients of the static and kinetic friction. Two kinds of the specimens have been prepared for the tests, which have been cut out from a spring leaf of the prototype spring – they have created the model friction pairs. The condition of the specimen surface and their selected mechanical properties have been evaluated. During the experimental tests have been considered: four sliding velocities, four variants of the surface conditions and two values of the normal load. The tests of the friction pairs have been performed at the laboratory stand for measuring the friction force. The results of the tests have been presented in a form of the time courses of friction force, graphs and tabular summaries of the friction coefficients. It has been conducted a comparative analysis of the results in order to determine an influence of the test results on the values of the determined friction coefficients. The proposed research conditions are approximate to the typical operating conditions of the road vehicles.