Abstract
IN the light of Dr. Schnurmann's above remarks, it appears that he is still unconvinced by our original interpretation of frictional data1 on the Bowden-Leben apparatus, when a small steel spherical surface was slid over copper covered with thin films of soft metals (lead, cadmium and tin), and also by later additional experimental data2. It was originally suggested that the reduction in the coefficient of friction, µ, from 0.5 to 0.7 for steel on the bulk metals lead and copper, say, to 0.03–0.08 for films of lead, 10-5-10-6 cm. in depth, was due to the combination of a thin soft film on a hard substrate maintaining a small area of contact across which “the adhesion and deformation resistance” was very low. Dr. Schnurmann considers the effect is solely due to a reduction in the “ploughing action”.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Heaton, J. L., Bristow, J. R., Whittingham, G., and Hughes, T. P., NATURE, 150, 520 (1942).
Hughes, T. P., NATURE, 151, 531 (1943).
Ernst, H., and Merchant, M. E., Conference on Friction and Surface Finish, Massachusetts Inst. Tech., 76 (1940).
Bowden, F. P., and Tabor, D., NATURE, 150, 197 (1942).
Bowden, F. P., Moore, A. J. W., and Tabor, D., J. Appl. Phys., 14, 80 (1943).
Hughes, T. P., and Daniel, S. G. (unpublished).
Bowden, F. P., and Tabor, D., J. Appl. Phys., 14, 141 (1943). Rep.No. 2, Bull. No. 155, C.S.I.R. (Melbourne, 1942).
Schnurmann, R., NATURE, 151, 420 (1943).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
HUGHES, T., HEATON, J. Letter to Editors. Nature 152, 247–248 (1943). https://doi.org/10.1038/152247b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/152247b0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
