Comparative Examination of Friction Between Additive Manufactured Plastics and Steel Surface

Abstract

Nowadays, the increasing use of plastic materials in friction and wear applications, particularly in industrial robotic grippers, is a growing trend in modern industry. Plastics are replacing traditional materials like metals and composites due to their unique properties and significant advantages. Plastic materials used in industrial robotic grippers offer several advantages, such as their low friction coefficient, enabling smooth and precise movement of the gripper and minimizing the risk of damaging the objects being manipulated. This paper presents a comparative study and analysis of the friction coefficient between various plastic materials and the C45 alloy steel, a superior alloy used in industrial applications. The investigated materials include PETG, PLA, PLA with aluminum, ABS, two types of TPU, and two types of UV-sensitive resins. This study aims to evaluate the friction performance of these materials in order to identify the most suitable options for friction and wear applications, such as industrial robotic grippers. To achieve this, dry kinetic friction tests were conducted between 3D printed plastic material samples manufactured by using FDM and SLA technologies, and the C45 alloy steel on the CETR UMT-2 tribometer. The friction coefficient was measured by recording the force required for displacement in two horizontal directions.