4-Ball Wear Tester (4-Kugel-Tester)

4-Kugel-Tester mit automatischer Belastung, Inline-Drehmoment für EP, Verschleißuntersuchungen von Fett, Öl, Schmiermitteln

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4 ball Upper rotary drive for tribology tests

Home > Tribometers > Anwendungen > 4 Ball (4-Kugel)

Detailed Module Information

Main Features:

Programmable close loop force up to 10,000 N (No Dead Weights)
-35°C to 200°C (400°C) Temperature
Automatic EP and Wear
In-line Torque, Acoustic signal, Down force
ASTM, DIN, ISO Compliant

The 4-ball tester is used to study extreme pressure EP, coefficient of friction, load wear index, ball weld point, and wear preventive additives for lubricating grease, oil, and additives.

Each MFT-5000’s next generation 4-ball tester is an excellent option to run multiple 4-ball tester standard tests on the same platform. The tester comes with close loop down force control. This allows to apply up to 10,000 N load using motors (using no dead weights). 4 ball wear or 4 ball EP tests are automatic and very easy to use.

In-line torque, friction, and acoustic signals automatically calculate the test results. The tester also creates quick screening methods. For example, applying linear loads instead of step loads.

Highly versatile, wide temperature and test range, fully automatic, and computer control, make this four ball tester highly repeatable and very easy to use.

lubricants applications

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4-ball tester setup on MFT-5000 tribometer

Learn More About The MFT-5000 Platform

The MFT-5000 Tribometer

Learn more about the versatile MFT-5000 tribometer that provides friction, wear, and surface properties of various materials under a multitude of environments and testing conditions.

Learn more about the MFT-5000 Tribometer

Multiple Standard Tests

ASTM D2266, D4172, ASTM D2596, ASTM D2783, BS EN ISO 20623, BS ISO 26422, CEC L-45-A-99, DIN 51 350, IP 23.

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Wear Protective Test

This test evaluates lubrication performance of grease or oil. The test is carried out at relatively mild test conditions. For example, 392 N at 75°C at 1200 rpm for 1 hour. The performance of the lubricant is evaluated by measuring and comparing the wear diameter of the balls after the test. Diameter of wear scar on each of the three lower balls are measured at two locations 90° to each other. The average of six measurements is reported as wear diameter for the 4 ball test. The four ball testing machine gives high reproducible results during the wear test as the down force is precisely controlled in real-time.

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Extreme Pressure EP Test

The 4 ball EP test is used to test lubrication properties of lubricants (oils and greases) under extreme pressure conditions. The top ball rotates at high speeds and high loads for a short duration of time. For example, 1800 RPM, 3000N and 30s. Load increase in steps or linearly until the lubricant fails. The maximum load available is up to 10,000 N. The failure is determined by welding of the four balls, visible smoke, instantaneous increase in friction or torque. The test is automatically stopped at the onset of failure. The lubricants are rated based on their ability to “pass” the test without failure at applied loads.

4-Ball Tester Data and Analysis

Quick screening test to evaluate extreme pressure properties.

Data from 4-ball wear test using automatic loading

Figure 1

Figure 1 shows results of an increasing load test. The test was configured to apply a linearly increasing load from 400 N to 4000 N. The acoustic signal shows that the sample began to fail around 2800 N. Complete failure leading to welding observed at around 3600N. During the test, coefficient of friction was measured in real-time and recorded with high precision.

Ball scar image using 3D microscope from Rtec Instruments

Figure 2

Figure 2 shows the 3D Image of the ball scar. The Rtec Universal Profilometer created the 3D Image. The profilometer shows both volume wear loss and scar diameter or rotating or stationary balls creating using various test methods.