Overview
ISO 15113:2005 - Rubber - Determination of frictional properties - defines principles and a laboratory method for measuring the coefficient of friction of rubber. The standard covers measurement of friction between rubber and standard comparators, rubber-on-rubber, or rubber against any specified surface. It focuses on reproducible, plane-on-plane linear tests while acknowledging alternative geometries (hemispherical sliders, ball-on-flat) in informative annexes.
Keywords: ISO 15113, rubber friction, coefficient of friction, frictional properties, friction measurement, test track.
Key Topics and Technical Requirements
- Scope and principle: Measurement of frictional force under a known normal load while sliding one surface relative to another; coefficient of friction = frictional force / normal load.
- Apparatus:
- Linear motion device providing ~100 mm travel.
- Test velocities typically 0.5 mm/min to 1 000 mm/min.
- Normal loads in the range 1 N to 200 N.
- Load cell(s) conforming to class 1 (ISO 5893) with ±1% accuracy over measurement range.
- Stiff mechanical assembly to avoid stick‑slip; means to separate surfaces between tests.
- Optional environmental cabinet for temperature control with ±0.5 °C measurement accuracy.
- Test surfaces:
- One surface from the rubber under test; the test track may be the same rubber or specified materials (e.g., float glass, stainless steel, cast iron, resin-bonded paper).
- Test track must be larger than test pieces and allow at least 50 mm linear travel.
- Procedures and phenomena:
- Procedures for initial friction measurements (A), service behaviour (B), and tests with lubricants/contaminants (C).
- Concepts explained: static friction, stiction, stick‑slip, real vs apparent contact area, and the influence of load, velocity, temperature, surface finish.
- Reporting and conditioning: Requirements for sample preparation, conditioning, cleaning/renewal of test track, presentation of results, and test reporting.
Applications and Who Uses It
ISO 15113 is used by:
- Rubber manufacturers and compound formulators for material characterization.
- Test laboratories and quality control departments validating grip, slip resistance, and product performance.
- Automotive, footwear, seal and gasket, conveyor and industrial component designers assessing rubber contact behaviour.
- R&D teams studying effects of surface finish, contaminants, lubricants, temperature or wear on rubber friction.
Practical benefits include consistent friction data for material selection, comparative testing against standard comparators, and reproducible test protocols for specification and compliance.
Related Standards
- ISO 5893:2002 - specification for tensile/flexural/compression test equipment (constant rate of traverse).
- ISO 23529 - general procedures for preparing and conditioning rubber test pieces.
Using ISO 15113 helps produce reliable, comparable rubber friction data that inform design choices, safety assessments, and product specifications.