Yes, uncoated steel surfaces typically exhibit moderate to high friction, especially in steel-on-steel contact without lubrication. The friction coefficient can range from 0.5 to 0.8 in dry conditions — which may cause wear, heat buildup, or galling in dynamic assemblies.
Steel’s frictional behavior depends on several factors:
Surface Finish: Polished steel has lower friction than rough or untreated surfaces.
Lubrication: Oils, greases, or solid lubricants can significantly reduce friction.
Material Pairing: Steel-on-plastic or ceramic often generates less friction than steel-on-steel.
Environmental Conditions: Humidity, heat, and contaminants can increase or decrease friction.
In high-performance applications like automotive parts, machinery, and linear motion systems, friction can be effectively managed through surface coatings such as Armoloy Thin Dense Chrome (TDC), which reduces metal-on-metal drag and improves component longevity.