The Effect of JP4 on Friction between NBR and Aluminum in Different Roughness

One of the problems for use of rubber in various industries is the surface tension at the surface of rubbers, which results in the crack on the surface, fracture of the rubber and reduces its service life. These tensions are caused by contacting the rubber component with the metal surface and the friction between two surfaces. Roughness of the surface, the composition of the rubber compound, the environmental factors, test conditions and etc. affect the friction between rubbers – metal. Surface roughness plays an important role in sliding between two surfaces and mainly controls friction behavior. On the other hand, roughness effect on the coefficient of friction is controllable using a suitable lubricant. In the present study regarding to the application of JP4 as an aviation fuel, the effect of JP4 fuel as a lubricant was investigated in the reduction of the sliding friction coefficient between the NBR and aluminum surfaces with different roughness. Experimental studies showed, friction coefficient has a good correlation with the mean surface roughness (Ra). By applying JP4 lubricant, the coefficient of friction decreased by about 75%. JP4 fuel as lubricant has changed the trend of varying friction coefficient from decreasing to increasing regard to the surface roughness.