Linear Wear Friction Testing

Linear sliding tribometer module for friction and wear testing across a wide load, speed, and environmental control range.  

Linear reciprocating drive for linear friction and wear studies
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Detailed Module Information

Module Features:

  • Piezo sensors for high frequency friction measurements
  • Stroke 0.1 to 35 mm, up to 80 Hz frequency
  • Dry and Liquid Tests
  • Environmental Control Chambers (-50°C to 1200°C)

What is Linear Friction Tribometer? An upper sample – typically ball, pin or cylinder presses against the oscillating plate. Measure coefficient of friction (COF), friction force, wear rate, wear volume, temperature, and several other tribology parameters. The ball/pin-on-plate tribometer wear testing machine setup is ideal for characterizing tribology properties of alloys, ceramics, polymers, metals, coatings, and solid lubricants.

Rtec Solution—Our linear sliding wear tribometer module mounts on our tribometers. It works across a wide speed, load, temperature, and environmental range. Using various sensors it measures friction, wear, and adhesion of any reciprocating test setup with ease. The patented in-line 3D profilometer automatically measures topography change during the test. The module accommodates several application specific chambers, fixtures and test setups. It’s compliant to several ASTM, DIN, ISO standards including ASTM G133

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    The linear wear friction testing module accommodates several chambers and application specific setups. A wide load range of mN to 5000 N  allows simulation of several linear tribology applications. Choice of module and test conditions depend on the final application.

    Automatic In-line Imaging

    Roughness, Wear, Volume vs. Time

    Correlate friction, wear and topography easily.

    The 3D In-line profilometer automatically measures the surface topography of the wear track. The module mounts on the XY stage that conveniently moves the sample between the test and image area.

    The initial 3D image acquired using the profilometer accounts for machining marks, grain boundaries, orientation of the samples, and other localized features in contact surfaces. This information can be useful to explain the difference in friction, stick slip, and wear between specimens. This Figure shows an aluminum sample during a 2.5 hour ball-on-plate linear reciprocating test. The images were taken every 10 minutes.

    wear mark progression on tribometer using in-line 3D profilometer

    Linear Wear Friction Testing Analysis

    Ball On Plate Setup And Data

    Setup

    Materials are tested in pairs under nominally non-abrasive conditions. For the pin on plate tribology wear test, two specimens are required. One, a pin or ball that is positioned perpendicular to the other, usually a flat plate. The universal upper and lower sample holders are used to mount the samples. 

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    Results

    Figure shows the comparison of two different test samples tested at 200°C under similar conditions of load (200 N) and frequency against a 10 mm Cr6 ball. It is clear from the test that the Sample 2 has higher friction compared to sample 1.

    Linear friction and wear test data using tribometer

    Solution To

    Due to its multiple configurations, the fast reciprocating tribometer module is used extensively across a wide range of industries:

    • Aerospace
    • Automotive
    • Bio-materials
    • Ceramics
    • Hard Coating
    • Lubricants
    • Metal
    • Pharmaceutical
    • Polymer
    • Hot, Cold Rolling
    • Medical devices

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