The effect of filling materials on the friction coefficient of recycled rubber floorings is discussed in the present work. Experiments were carried out by the sliding of the bare foot against the tested rubber tiles of different thickness. The friction coefficient was investigated. Experiments were carried out using a test rig designed and manufactured for the test. Loads were applied by foot up to 700 N. The normal and friction forces were measured to determine the static friction coefficient. It was found that, at dry sliding, friction coefficient slightly increased with increasing the content of the filling materials. At water lubricated sliding, friction coefficient significantly decreased with increasing filling material content. Detergent decreased friction coefficient lower than water. The lowest friction values were observed for tiles filled by 70 wt. % polyurethane. As the load increased friction coefficient decreased. Presence of sand particles on the sliding surfaces caused significant friction increase. It was observed that for foot sliding against flooring materials wetted by water and contaminated by sand particles as the filling materials increased friction coefficient decreased. For rougher rubber tiles, at dry sliding, the effect of load on friction coefficient diminished as the filling material increased to 20 %. At water wetted sliding, friction coefficient significantly decreased with increasing filling material. Significant effect was observed for the load on the friction coefficient. In the presence of sand on the rubber surface, friction coefficient increased with increasing filling material content.
Elham et al. (Tue,) studied this question.