A study on frictional characteristics of PDMS under various conditions

In this study, the mechanical and frictional properties of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were investigated. PDMS has received much attention because of its numerous advantages such as good formability, high transparency, light weight and low cost. However, PDMS has relatively poor mechanical properties compared to other materials, and it is vulnerable to surface damage or wear due to contact. As a result, there is a need to investigate the mechanical properties and enhance its tribological characteristics. In this study, PDMS specimens with different stiffnesses were prepared. The mechanical properties of PDMS were measured using a rigid spherical indenter. Sliding tests were performed to evaluate the frictional properties of the PDMS specimens under both dry and lubricated conditions. The effect of stiffness on the frictional properties of PDMS was assessed, In addition, sliding tests under various lubricated conditions were performed and the effect of the viscosity of the lubricant was also investigated. It was found that the mechanical and frictional properties of PDMS depended upon the stiffness of PDMS and the lubrication condition.