Relationship between the real contact behavior and tribological characteristics of cotton fabric

Abstract The tribological characteristics of cotton fibers play an important role in engineering and materials science, and real contact behavior is a significant aspect in the friction behavior of cotton fibers. In this study, the tribological characteristics of cotton fibers and their relationship with the real contact behavior are investigated through reciprocating linear tribotesting and real contact analysis. Results show that the friction coefficient decreases with a general increase in load or velocity, and the load and velocity exhibit a co-influence on the friction coefficient. The dynamic change in the real contact area is recorded clearly during the experiments and corresponds to the fluctuations observed in the friction coefficient. Moreover, the friction coefficient is positively correlated with the real contact area based on a quantitative analysis of the evolution of friction behavior and the real contact area at different loads and velocities. This correlation is evident at low velocities and medium load.