For engine development, validation, and production, Rtec Instruments can measure virtually every critical tribological parameter that affects efficiency, durability, reliability, and energy losses.
Friction & Efficiency
- Coefficient of friction (CoF)
- Stribeck curves
- Mixed, boundary, and hydrodynamic lubrication
- Traction coefficient
- Mechanical efficiency of lubricants
- Start-stop friction behavior
Wear & Durability
- Wear scar diameter and volume
- Wear rate
- Surface roughness evolution
- Scuffing and seizure resistance
- Micropitting
- Adhesive and abrasive wear
- Corrosive wear
- Surface fatigue
Lubricant Performance
- Engine oil formulation comparison
- Additive package evaluation (AW, EP, friction modifiers)
- Oil aging effects
- Viscosity influence
- Film thickness
- Lubricant film breakdown
- Grease performance
- Fuel lubricity (HFRR)
Electrified Powertrains
- Electrical contact resistance
- Contact impedance
- Electrical erosion
- Current-induced wear
- Bearing current effects
- Lubricant performance under AC/DC current
Materials & Coatings
- DLC coatings
- PVD/CVD coatings
- Nitrided surfaces
- Thermal spray coatings
- Surface treatments
- Material pair screening
- Coating durability
- Scratch adhesion
- Hardness and elastic modulus (Nanoindentation)
Engine Components
- Camshaft–follower contacts
- Piston rings and cylinder liners
- Valve train components
- Bearings
- Timing chains
- Gears
- Fuel injectors
- Fuel pumps
- Crankshaft bearings
- Turbocharger bearings
Environmental Testing
- Temperature effects (cryogenic to high temperature)
- Lubricated and dry conditions
- Humidity
- Corrosive environments
- Vacuum or controlled atmosphere
- Thermal cycling
Dynamic Mechanical Behavior
- Fretting wear
- Oscillating contacts
- High-frequency reciprocating motion
- Rolling/sliding contacts
- Impact wear
- Fatigue under cyclic loading
Surface & Mechanical Characterization
- Hardness
- Elastic modulus
- Creep
- Fracture toughness
- Scratch resistance
- Surface topography (3D profilometry)
- Surface roughness
- Coating thickness
- Residual wear volume
Standardized Engine-Related Tests
- ASTM D4172 (Four Ball Wear)
- ASTM D2783 (Four Ball EP)
- ASTM D5183 (Scuffing)
- ASTM D6079 / ISO 12156 (HFRR Fuel Lubricity)
- ASTM G99 (Pin-on-Disk)
- ASTM G133 (Reciprocating Wear)
- ASTM G181 (Fretting)
- SRV®-type reciprocating lubricant tests
- Customized OEM engine component simulations
