The frictional behavior of composite materials under horizontal vibration

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the frictional behaviour of composite materials under external horizontal vibration. Variation of friction coefficient is investigated experimentally when mild steel pin slides on composite materials such as glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) and cloth reinforced ebonite (commercially known as gear fiber). Design/methodology/approach A pin‐on‐disc apparatus having the facility of vibrating the test samples in a horizontal direction is designed and fabricated. Horizontal vibration is created along (longitudinal direction), and perpendicular (transverse direction) to, the sliding direction. The experimental set‐up has the facility to vary the amplitudes and frequencies of vibration while velocity of vibration is kept constant. Findings The relative frictional behaviour of these materials and their dimensional analysis are yet to be investigated. Therefore an attempt is made to investigate the relative frictional property of the GFRP and cloth reinforced ebonite (commercially known as gear fiber) and the results of these composite materials are analyzed by dimensional analysis under horizontal vibration. Practical implications It is expected that the applications of these results will contribute to the improvement of different concerned mechanical systems. Originality/value It can also be noted that there are no clear correlations between friction‐ and other vibration‐related operating parameters. Considering the above conclusion and lack of correlation, the paper meant to find out a suitable correlation and a way of observing the response of friction force by applying known frequency and amplitude of vibration in a particular direction. It is expected that the application of these results will contribute to the improvement of different concerned mechanical systems.