FRICTIONAL EFFECTS IN HUMAN HAIR
Anthony M. Schwartz , D. C. Knowles, Jr.

The static and kinetic frictional coefficients of hair are among the most important factors affecting combability and softness and are good measures of hair condition. Preferred methods are described for measuring the friction of hair against itself and against a variety of hair device materials. They include the static mandrel method for single fibers and the capstan method for multiple fiber tapes and tresses. Hair friction is influenced by many different factors, each of which must be carefully controlled in making meaningful measurements.

The effects of these various factors are illustrated and discussed. Two of the more important among them are the degree to which the hair keratin has been modified chemically and the burden of adsorbed surfactant which the hair carries as a result of its shampooing history. The relationships among the type and content of adsorbed surfactant, hair condition, hair friction and hair combability are described quantitatively.

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