Surface treatment of wood surface is an effective method to improve the physical properties. The friction dynamics of wood coated with vegetable oil were evaluated and compared to wood treated with polyurethane and untreated wood. The kinetic friction coefficient, µ k , was 0.39±0.01, which was smaller than the values for polyurethane-treated wood and untreated oak. The effect of the surface treatment was also observed in the dependence of velocity on the friction coefficient. The friction profile of the wood surface treated with vegetable oil was similar to that of untreated wood, and the friction coefficient was nearly constant, except in the static friction region of sliding out. These results suggest that wood treated with vegetable oil is suitable for inducing a smooth feel.
Keywords: coating; friction; polyurethane; vegetable oil; wood.