University of Technology

Department of Mechanical Engineering

MACHINE DYNAMICS
Laboratory report

“BELT FRICTION”
Table of contents

Contents

1. Objective ........................................................................................................................................ 1
2. Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 1
3. Procedure ....................................................................................................................................... 1
4. Results ............................................................................................................................................ 2
5. Discussion....................................................................................................................................... 4
6. Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 4
7. References ...................................................................................................................................... 4
1. Objective

To determine the sliding coefficient of friction, μ between two types of belt-pulley configurations.

2. Introduction
Belt Friction is the term used to describe the frictional forces between a belt and the surface and for
this experiment it will be the frictional force with the surface of the pulley. The relationship between
T1 and T2 can be defined by the limiting belt friction relationship.
𝜇𝜃
𝛼
(sin )
𝑇1 = 𝑇2 𝑒 2 Where;

T2 is the tension on the slack side (constant mass)

𝜇 Is the sliding coefficient of friction
𝜃 Is the angle of contact between the belt and pulley.
𝛼 Is the angle of the cord/vee-belt

Rearranging that equation and plotting 𝜃 vs the equilibrium values of lnT1 can be used to deduce 𝜇

3. Procedure
Part a
1. Set up the apparatus as shown in Figure 1

2. Keeping the mass M2 Constant at 1 kg and set up the nylon

cord on the aluminium drum as shown in the figure

𝜋
3. Use six angles of lap 𝜃 from 𝜃 =
2

4. Mass is added to M1 to until the pulley slowly starts to move

the cord. That mass M1 is recorded.

5. The configurations are changed as shown on figure 2 and the

Figure 1 experiment is repeated whilst the values for M1 are recorded.
Part b
1. Using the same apparatus set up as Figure 1

2. Using a Vee- Belt set up on the aluminium drum. For each

Tension T2 find the corresponding tension T1

3. Keep M1 to less than 1 Kg and at an angle of lap less than 900

4. For 6 different values of Tension T2 (increments of 0.5 Kg)

.Record the values for M2

Figure 2

pg. 1
4. Results

Part (a)

𝜽 M1 (g) M2 (g) ln(T1) Ln(T2)

𝜋 1672.03 1111.30 2.798 2.389
1( )
2
𝜋 4175.27 1111.30 3.713 2.389
5( )
2
𝜋 5211.89 1111.30 3.935 2.389
6( )
2
𝜋 2412.7 1111.30 3.167 2.389
2( )
2
𝜋 2286.12 1111.30 3.111 2.389
3( )
2
𝜋 6741.28 1111.30 4.193 2.389
7( )
2

Sample calculation of 𝒍𝒏𝑻𝟏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒏𝑻𝟐

𝑇1 = 𝑚1 𝑔 𝑇2 = 𝑚2 𝑔
𝑇1 = 1.672 ∗ 9.81 𝑇2 = 1.111 ∗ 9.81
𝑇1 = 16.402 𝑁 𝑇2 = 10.9 𝑁
𝑙𝑛𝑇1 = ln(16.402) 𝑙𝑛𝑇2 = ln(10.9)
𝑙𝑛𝑇1 = 2.798 𝑙𝑛𝑇2 = 2.798
Is Constant because M2 is kept constant

𝒍𝒏𝑻𝟏 = 𝜇𝜃 + 𝑙𝑛𝑻𝟐
∆𝑙𝑛𝑇1
𝜇= ∆𝜃

𝝁 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟑𝟐𝟏

pg. 2
Part b

M1 (g) M2 (g) T1 T2
501.75 1319.6 12.93 04.92
998.60 2139.54 20.95 09.77
1508.49 2659.61 26.03 14.77

1997.06 3800.63 37.21 19.55

2515.17 4589.36 44.93 24.93
3033.72 6667.88 65.27 29.70

Sample calculation of 𝑻𝟏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑻𝟐

𝑇1 = 𝑚1 𝑔 𝑇2 = 𝑚2 𝑔
𝑇1 = 1.319 ∗ 9.81 𝑇2 = 0.50175 ∗ 9.81
𝑇1 = 12.9 𝑁 𝑇2 = 4.922 𝑁

∆𝑇1 ′𝜃 1 ∆𝑇 𝛼
= 𝑒𝜇 , hence 𝜇′ = 𝜃 𝑙𝑛 (∆𝑇1 ) 𝜇′ = 𝜇 ∗ 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑐 ( 2 )
∆𝑇2 2
1 ∆𝑇 39
𝜇′ = 𝜃 𝑙𝑛 (∆𝑇1 ) 0.435 = 𝜇 ∗ 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑐 ( 2 )
2
′
𝜇 =
2
𝑙𝑛(1.979) 𝝁 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟒𝟓
𝜋
𝝁′ = 𝟎. 𝟒𝟑𝟓

pg. 3
5. Discussion

The results obtained from the experiment do seem to be slightly inaccurate but consistent. The sliding
coefficient of friction for part A when the nylon cord is used is 0.232 as opposed 0.145 in part B when
the vee- belt is used. Assuming that the pulley was made from steel the coefficient of sliding friction
has to be 0.35 for nylon on steel (Blau, 2009). This indicates that there is a 33.71% error in our
experiment results
There are numerous factors that could have caused discrepancies in our results, for instance the cord
and vee-belt we used could have been worn out and therefore might be smoother or rougher, affecting
the sliding friction. The digital scale could have given us wrong mass readings due to the fact we had
to pile on a lot more weights on the small scale. Unlikely though possible sources of error could be
the ‘ball bearing mounted pulley’s’ being set up at incorrect angles. Also the friction will be greater
on warmer days since any water naturally found on the belt would evaporate hence less lubrication.
The slip condition is determined by the coefficient of friction between the pulley &belt, the angle of
lap and the rotational speed of the pulley. The limiting tension ratio at which the slip will occur can be
𝑇
represented by the equation𝑇1 = 𝑒 𝜇𝜃 .
2

6. Conclusion

The objective of this experiment was to determine the sliding coefficient of friction, μ between two
types of belt-pulley configurations. We have calculated both this values and the coefficient of friction
with the vee-belt is lower than that of the nylon cord. The percentage of error for this experiment is
slightly higher due to the sources of errors discussed but it still obeys the basic principle of higher the
contact area between two materials the greater the friction coefficient.

7. References

 ASM International Handbook Committee. (1992). ASM Handbook metals handbook v. 18.
Materials Park, OH: ASM INT.

 Blau, P. (2009). Friction science and technology. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

pg. 4