ABSTRACT
Curves of the coefficient of friction as a function of load and of the speed differential between the lining and facings and their mating surface are no longer available from many manufacturers. Perhaps this is a consequence of the ease with which trial lawyers in the United States can collect large financial rewards for weak liability claims based upon often trivial, or unavoidable (due to physical limits on manufacturing tolerances), differences between published data and a particular specimen of the manufactured product. Furthermore, differences between published and operational coefficients of friction are beyond the control of the manufacturer because comparison of laboratory and operational data have shown that temperature, humidity, contamination, and utilization cycles of the machinery using these linings and facings can cause significant changes in the effective coefficient of friction at any given moment. Consequently, the coefficients of friction mentioned are nominal, the following discussion is in generic terms, and all curves shown should be understood to represent only the general character of the material under laboratory conditions.
