DAM 21703 (MECHANICS OF MACHINE)

EXPERIMENT 2

BELT FRICTION
LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this experiment, student should be able to understand the concept of
friction on the belt at different angle of lap.

2.1 INTRODUCTION

The most common systems for transmitting power from a drive to a driven shaft are
belt, gear, and chain drives. In this topic, the belt drive systems also called friction
drives because power is transmitted as a result of the belt's adherence to the pulley
are an economical option for industrial, automotive, commercial, agricultural, and
home appliance applications. Belt drives are also easy to install, require no
lubrication, and dampen shock load. This experiment will show the relevant the belt
friction between angle of lap and belt material.

2.2 THEORY

When a rope or belt slides over a pulley, the friction between the rope and the
pulley produces differing rope forces in the two ends. The difference between the
rope forces corresponds to the friction force at the pulley.

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The belt or rope friction is a function of the coefficient of friction μ and the arc of
contact α. The ratio of the two rope forces is calculated by way of Eytelwein’s rope
friction equation:

F1
 e  ; 
1
ln
F2
F2  F1
where F1 is the greater force on the tension side and F2 the smaller force on the
pulled side. For a specific material combination, the coefficient of friction (μ) is a
fixed variable. The angle (α) is to be expressed as circular measure. The ratio
increases disproportionately with increasing angle (α). Doubling the number of
rope turns from 1 (α = 2π) to 2 (α = 4π) with a coefficient of friction of μ = 0.3
increases the forces, for example, by a factor of

e 0.34 
 6.58
e 0.32 

2.3 ADDITIONAL THEORY

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 (10 marks)
2.4 OBJECTIVES

(5 marks)

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2.5 APPARATUS

Table 1: Friction Belt Apparatus List.

No Apparatus No Apparatus
1 Grey cast iron pulley 6 locking pin
2 Hand crank 7,8 spring balances
3 Pulley support 9 threaded stem
4 Column 10 base plate
5 Belt holder 11 Flat Belt / Rope

Figure 1: Belt Friction Apparatus

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 2: (a) Spring Balance (b) Setting arc of contact (c) Type of belt

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2.6 PROCEDURES

(10 marks)

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2.7 RESULTS
Table 2: Rope forces as a function of arc of contact (Measured vs.Calculated). a
coefficient of friction of μ = 0.43
Angle (α) [degrees] 30° 60° 90° 120° 150° 180°
Angle (α) [radian]

Force (F1) [N] 17 20 20 21 30 40

Force (F2) [N] 7 5 2 1 1 1

Ratio F1/F2 [Measured]

Ratio F1/F2 [Calculated]

Table 3: Coefficient of friction (μ) as a function of material combination

Material Combination Force (F1) Force (F2) Coefficient of Friction (μ)

[N] [N] [Measured]
Leather - grey cast iron 40 1

Hemp - grey cast iron 16 3

Nylon - grey cast iron 17 3

APPROVED BY

(10 marks)

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2.8 OBSERVATIONS

(10 marks)

2.9 CALCULATION

1. Calculate the force relationships of the various angles using the above Flat
belt friction equation for comparison with the measurement in Table 2,
assuming a coefficient of friction obtain from 180o contact angle.

(10 marks)

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2. Measure the forces (F1 and F2) and calculate the coefficient of friction (μ)
as a function of material combination in Table 3.

(5 marks)
2.10 DISCUSSIONS
1. From Table 2, plot a graph on the development of the Force Relationship
as a function of arc of contact. F1/F2 (measured & Calculated) vs. Arc of
contact α [degrees].

(10 marks)

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2. Discuss the coefficient of friction obtained from different material in Table3.

(5 marks)
2.11 QUESTIONS
1. What the factors that influence in the change of power transmission in a
belt system.

(5 marks)

2. Derive the force ratio formula obtain the coefficient friction of V-Belt type.

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 (5 marks)

2.12 CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS

Deduce conclusions from the experiment. Please comment on your experimental
work in terms of achievement, problems faced throughout the experiment and
suggest recommendation for improvement.

(10 marks)

2.13 REFERENCES

(5 marks)

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