Coefficient of kinetic friction

Definition

Given two surfaces, the coefficient of kinetic friction or coefficient of dynamic friction between them is the constant ${\mu }_k$ such that, for small speeds of slipping of two bodies with these two as the surfaces of contact, the kinetic friction between the two bodies is ${\mu }_k$ times the normal force between the two bodies.

The coefficient of kinetic friction is usually slightly, but not much, smaller than the limiting coefficient of static friction.

Units and dimensions

The coefficient of kinetic friction is a dimensionless scalar and does not need units.

Range of values

First surface	Second surface	Condition	${\mu }_s$	${\mu }_k$	${\tan }^{-1}({\mu }_s)$ (radians)	${\tan }^{-1}({\mu }_s)$ (degrees)	${\tan }^{-1}({\mu }_k)$ (radians)	${\tan }^{-1}({\mu }_k)$ (degrees)
Aluminimum	Mild steel	Dry and clean	$0.61$	$0.47$	$0.55$	$31$	$0.44$	$25$
Aluminimum	Aluminimum	Dry and clean	$1.05-1.35$	$1.4$	$0.81-0.93$	$46-53$	$0.95$	$54$
Copper	Steel	Dry and clean	$0.53$	$0.36$	$0.49$	$28$	$0.35$	$20$
Copper	Copper	Dry and clean	$1.0$	?	$0.79$	$45$	?	?
Wood	Concrete	Dry and clean	$0.62$	?	$0.55$	$32$	?	?
Wood	Metal	Dry and clean	$0.2-0.6$	?	$0.2-0.54$	$11.3-31$	?	?
Wood	Metal	Wet	$0.2$	?	$0.2$	$11.3$
Wood	Wood	Dry and clean	$0.25-0.5$	?	$0.24-0.46$	$14-26$	?	?
Wood	Wood	Wet	$0.2$	?	$0.2$	$11$	?	?
Mild steel	Mild steel	Dry and clean	$0.74$	$0.57$	$0.64$	$37$	$0.52$	$30$
Hard steel	Hard steel	Dry and clean	$0.78$	$0.42$	$0.66$	$38$	$0.40$	$23$

For more, see The Engineer's Handbook and Engineering Toolbox.

External links

Instructional video links

• coefficient of kinetic friction (video on Youtube)