The coefficient of friction of materials (including table!)

Surfaces moving past each other have a certain amount of friction. The degree of friction is expressed as the so-called coefficient of friction. The coefficient of friction indicates the friction between two surfaces; in other words, how easily one material can slide over the other. This is expressed in a number: a larger number indicates higher friction.

Static and dynamic friction

For rough materials, it is high and smooth materials very low. In formulas, the coefficient of friction is represented by the Greek letter mu (µ).

The normal force is the force by which surfaces are pressed against each other. When it comes to cargo lying on a loading floor, it is therefore equal to the mass of the cargo. The normal force is always perpendicular to the load surface and is expressed in formulas as FN.

The static coefficient of friction (µs) is the ratio between the maximum frictional force before the surfaces start moving relative to each other and the normal force.
The dynamic coefficient of friction (µd) is the ratio between the friction force and the normal force when the surfaces are moving relative to each other.

Table of coefficients of friction according to EN 12195

Here is a table of coefficients of friction of various materials. These indicate the coefficients of friction of two materials when sliding past each other.

Thanks to their high coefficient of friction / anti-slip mats are very suitable for securing cargo (µs 0.6). A crate or box may tend to slide across the loading floor, but with an anti-slip mat underneath, this tendency is already much reduced. Lashing down can further reduce the tendency to slide.

Find your solution

Plastic pallet		µs	µs
Plastic pallet	Laminated plywood		0,2
Plastic pallet	Grooved aluminium		0,15
Plastic pallet	RVS sheet		0,15

Steel and metal
Steel crate	Laminated plywood		0,45
Steel crate	Grooved aluminium		0,3
Steel crate	Stainless steel sheet		0,2

Concrete
Raw concrete	Sawn timber beam		0,7
Smooth concrete	Sawn timber beam		0,55

Concrete (wet or dry)
Element part	Steel reinforcement		0,65
Element part	Element wall		0,55
Element part	Element wall		0,59
Concrete on wooden beams	Wooden loading floor		0,54
Steel frame	Wooden loading floor		0,43

Paper products		Packed	Unpacked
Paper roll	Laminated plywood	0,32	0,27
Paper roll	Laminated plywood with JOLODA	0,27	0,38
Paper roll	Metal loading floor	0,32	0,32
Paper roll	Plastic	0,27	0,16
Paper	Paper	0,43	0,43
Paper	Wood	0,43	0,49

Beverage products
Plastic soft drink crate	Wooden pallet		0,32
Stainless steel barrel (30l, 50l)	Wooden pallet		0,49

Other
Mesh reinforcement	Mesh reinforcement		0,22
Straw bales	Loading floor made of planks		0,49
Straw bales	Laminated plywood		0,38
Straw bales	Straw bales		0,43