Operational and maintenance requirements have required improved decking systems, particularly non-skid, to be incorporated within the US Navy. For those who have experienced rough seas and foul weather, the importance of good non-skid (or slip resistant) deck coverings on weather decks becomes very apparent. But what defines “good” may be easier to qualify rather than quantify. This is directly related to the methodologies employed to evaluate slip resistance of these surfaces and other deck systems.

Numerous devices exist to measure the coefficient of friction (COF) for flooring, roads, runways, and deck surfaces. As non-skid systems have evolved, the device to evaluate the frictional characteristics within the technical specifications changed to meet testing requirements within the Navy.

The proceeding addresses the problems encountered leading to the development of a compact, portable fieldable COF testing system. The parameters/procedures, used to evaluate non-skid deck coatings to verify their suitability for service or their need for replacement, are also reviewed; this review is not limited to the safety impacts of COF but also the operational readiness impacts on the Fleet.

Subject
Wear, Coefficient of friction, Materials, Friction, Gauges, Spray coating, Cables, Force, Equipment, Coating types, Rubber, Durability, Coupons
© 2007 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. This work is protected by both domestic and international copyright laws. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
2007
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
You do not currently have access to this content.