Tribology of human skin and mechanical skin equivalents in contact with textiles

• Published in: Wear Vol. 263; no. 7; pp. 1112 - 1116
• Main Authors: Derler, S., Schrade, U., Gerhardt, L.-C.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 10.09.2007; Amsterdam Elsevier Science; New York, NY
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Friction; Friction, wear, lubrication; Machine components; Mechanical engineering. Machine design; Mechanical properties; Physical properties; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Properties and testing; Skin; Skin model; Technology of polymers; Textile; Tribology; Skin; Textile; Friction; Skin model; Tribology; Nylon; Roughness; Modeling; Dry friction; Surface structure; Water content; Friction coefficient; Friction test; Siloxane polymer; Hysteresis; Textile industry; Human; Skin friction; Finger; Mechanical contact; Rough surface; Experimental study; Adhesion; Friction material; Plate; Polyurethane
• ISSN: 0043-1648; 1873-2577
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wear.2006.11.031

The friction of untreated human skin (finger) against a reference textile was investigated with 12 subjects using a force plate. In touch experiments, in which the subjects assessed the surface roughness of the textile at normal loads of 1.5 ± 0.7 N, the average friction coefficients ranged from 0.27 to 0.71 and varied among individuals due to different states of skin hydration. In experiments, in which the subjects varied the normal load, the friction coefficients were in the same range and showed practically no load dependence, indicating that both adhesion and hysteresis are contributing to the friction behaviour. The results for human skin were compared with apparative friction measurements using different silicone and polyurethane materials as mechanical skin equivalents. A polyurethane coated polyamide fleece with a surface structure similar to that of skin showed the best correspondence with human skin under dry conditions. The friction coefficients of this material increased with the moisture content of the reference textile. A realistic skin model in combination with an objective friction test method would be very useful for the textile industry and allow the efficient development of new textiles with improved and skin-adapted surface and frictional properties for sport and medical applications.