Nano-Tribological Study on the Smoothness of Writing with a Ball-Point Pen Using Friction Force Microscopy

摘要

The relationship between human sensation experienced in the use of a material and its physical properties was investigated for the case of writing with a ball-point pen containing water-based ink.Friction force microscopy (FFM) and a writing tester were used to measure friction in nano- and macro-scale,respectively,and their results were correlated with the smoothness of the act of writing.FFM allowed the determination of the optimum concentration of a specific lubricant to be incorporated in the ink to minimize the wear of the bearing material,although no significant relationship was observed with the writing tester.The nano-tribological measurements by FFM provide a significant means to understand the relationship between materials and the smoothness of the act of writing.