A comparative study of the frictional properties of emollient bath additives using porcine skin.

Abstract

The coefficient of friction of 14 prescribable bath emollients was determined using porcine skin attached to a loaded plunger placed through a bearing in a friction-measuring carriage, held above a reciprocating table powered by a DC motor. The carriage was mounted in low-friction rollers, and restrained by a piezo-electric force transducer connected to an amplifier and recorder. Friction was measured at room temperature, and at 45 degrees C. Emulsifying ointment and Bath E45 had the highest coefficients of friction, at room temperature and 45 degrees C, respectively, and Emmolate and Hydromol had the lowest. Nine of the 14 emollients had a lower coefficient of friction at 45 degrees C, one had a coefficient of friction which was the same at both temperatures, and four had a coefficient of friction which was higher at 45 degrees C.