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Frictional Force

Last updated: December 19, 2019

What Does Frictional Force Mean?

Frictional force is the opposing force that is created between two surfaces that try to move in the same direction or that try to move in opposite directions. The main purpose of a frictional force is to create resistance to the motion of one surface over the other surface. The frictional force depends on the body surface textures.

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Corrosionpedia Explains Frictional Force

A frictional force is an important property associated with the motion of the substances and cannot be eliminated, however the frictional forces acting on the body may be mitigated with the use of lubricating fluids or gels that can make the surface slippery. In general, a frictional force exists between two bodies when they move in the same or opposite directions or they slide across each other.

A high frictional force between two bodies is detrimental due to the abrasion and wear and tear of the surfaces, thus leading to a reduction in the mechanical stability of the bodies (e.g., pipelines, industrial equipment). Abrasion and wear cause any coating to be gradually chipped away by deforming the surface, and therefore render it susceptible to corrosion. Also, a large amount of friction generates heat, which leads to changes in the microstructure of the surface and structure deformation. This makes the stressed surface anodic compared to the low stressed areas, creating a corrosion cell at that point and thereby exacerbating the corrosion process.

Therefore, it is advantageous to use lubricants to minimize the frictional force acting between the surfaces.

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