Metal-silicate friction in ultrahigh vacuum

Results of the analysis and experiments on the frictional behavior of materials under conditions of ultrahigh vacuum, as related to kinematic problems in a lunar environment, are presented. Experiments have been performed under varying conditions of cleanliness to determine frictional characteristics at 10 to the minus 7th power to 10 to the minus 8th power torr between flat basalt and spherical 7075-T6 aluminum surfaces. A quantitative analysis has been made of the factors influencing frictional behavior of these materials. The proposed mathematical model incorporated parameters of surface cleanliness, surface roughness, and surface energy.