Tribometer MFT-5000 Overview
- Integrated 3D Profilometer
- Load Range Nano, Micro, Macro
- -120 °C to 1200 °C
- Modular with Interchangeable Modules
- Coatings, Lubricants, Materials Surface and Tribology Studies
Rtec Instruments’ state-of-the art Multi Function Tribometer MFT-5000 is globally regarded as the most versatile and technologically advanced tribometer. With patented force sensors, MFT-5000 has higher speeds and wider environmental control range than any other commercially existing tribometer. In addition, the tribometer contains a patented integrated 3D profilometer allowing surface analysis of change vs time. The MFT-5000 is perfect for complete and comprehensive analysis of friction, wear, hardness, adhesion, and much more on the same platform.
A Tribometer Like No Other
Customizable For Your Needs
Upper Z structure
High precision multiple Z stages to move load cell, and profiler in Z axis
Open Platform
Open platform architecture allows easy access and use. In addition, wide available space provides current or future application modules to mount on one platform.
Lower Interchangeable Test Module
Interchangeable fast-exchange modules performs several tests on the same platform–rotary, block on ring, reciprocating, fretting, scratch, and more.
Environmental Control
Force Sensors
Interchangeable load cells across a wide range from nN to 10,000 N. Capacitive, piezo, strain gauge technology.
Patented In-line 3D Profilometer
In-line Lambda 3D optical profilometer. Automatically inspect test area with nm resolution. Four imaging modes on the same head–confocal, interferometer, dark field, and bright field.
XY Stage
Long stroke, high precision, close loop XY stage. To create custom motions, moves modules between test and image positions. Also, slow speed reciprocating, scratch, and combined X-Y motions.
Data Acquisition, Motion Controller
Advanced high speed, low noise, fast feedback, multiple channels, highest data acquisition rate (200 KHz) controllers.
Interchangeable Modules
Multiple modules are available for the XY stage:
Patented Integrated In-line 3D Profilometer
Rtec-Instruments friction tester with in-line integrated 3D profilometer automatically creates 3D surface change plots with nm resolution during the test. Thus, the profilometer correlates the tribology data with surface topography easily. The technology is specifically optimized for tribology related tests. The lambda head model combines 4 optical techniques on one head – interferometer, confocal, dark field and bright field imaging. Therefore, it can measure any surface – transparent, rough, smooth, and steep slopes surface with ease. The high resolution XY stage on the tribometer allows for automatic stitching of volume wear and roughness calculations.
Two widely used optical head options are available for integration:
- Sigma head – White light interferometry
- Lambda Head – White light interferometry + Confocal microscopy + Dark Field + Bright Field Imaging
Unmatched Load Cell Technology
Capacitive, Piezo, And Stain Gauge
The universal mechanical tester has a wide range of patented load cells providing unparalleled stability and resolution. The wide load range extends from nN to 10,000 N with easy interchangeable load cells. The sensors comes with various configurations: forces measured in 1, 2 or 6 axes.
Capacitive Load Cells
Highest resolution load cells with high rigid design
Piezo Load Cells
Highest resolution load cells with high frequency response
Strain Gauge Load Cells
Sensors with widest load range
Dynamic Torque Sensors
Sensors to measure in-line torque during rotating motions
Environmental Chambers
Tribology testing highly depends on environmental conditions. Therefore, tests require conditions close to the real application. The MFT-5000 has a wide range of options (high temperature, corrosion, pressure, vacuum, cooling, inert gas) available on the tribometer. Contact us for more application specific information. Watch environmental control in action here.
High Heat and Cryogenic
Controlled Humidity
Control humidity from 5 to 95% RH to simulate real-life scenarios
High Pressure and Vacuum
Testing solution from 10-7 Torr up to 200 PSI gas pressure with temperature control
Environment
Salt Spray, tribocorrosion, inert gas chambers for various applications
Automatic Sub nm Surface Change Image vs Time
The data shows 3D wear mark progression during linear reciprocating test. This data is then used to calculate and study:
- Volume wear progression
- Roughness change
- Crack initiation and propagation
- Debris creation
- Topography change
- Effect of textures on tribology
- Effect of surface roughness
Applications
Application specific solutions
Rtec Instruments’ Universal Tribometer contains versatility and modularity that provide several tribological and mechanical testing solutions for various industries. Today it is widely used to measure friction coefficient across lubricant, grease, bio, automobile, semiconductor, aerospace, materials, ceramics, space industries, and more. To get useful tribological data, it is important to conduct experiments in conditions close to the real application. The Universal Tribometer provides custom motions, wide load range, customized holders and drives to generate meaningful data with ease.
High Temperature (Up to 1200° C)
Mechanical
- Materials Summary
- Hot Hardness
- 3,4 Point Bending
Cryogenic
Corrosion Testing
- Tribocorrosion
- Salt Spray
Industrial
- Brake Materials Screening
- Lenses
- Cutting Tools
- Piston Ring Cylinder Liner
- High Pressure Chamber
- Space Tribology
- Textile
Solution To
Due to its multiple configurations, Multi Function Tribometer MFT-5000 tribometer is used extensively across a wide range of industries:
Aerospace
- Thermal Spray Coatings
- Wear Resistance
- Fretting
- Vacuum
- High Temperature
- Cryogenic
- Abrasion, Erosion Resistance
Automotive
- Brake Testing
- Marr Resistance, Scratch Adhesion
- Thermal Spray Coatings
- Oil, Lubricant, Additives Testing
- Fretting and Wear Resistance
- Engine Related Tests
- Tribology, Friction, and Wear
Bio-materials
- Coatings Adhesion
- Scratch Resistance
- Fretting and Wear Resistance
- Corrosion
Ceramics
- Scratch Resistance
- Tribology and Friction Testing
Hard Coating
- Indentation
- Scratch Resistance
- Fretting
- Turning and Tapping Torque
- High Temperature
Lubricants
- Block on Ring, Timken, OK, EP
- 4Ball Wear and EP
- Rotary pin, ball, ring on disk
- HFRR
- SRV
- Tapping Torque, TCT, Drilling
- Piston Ring Liner
- Thrust Washer
- Low Temperature Testing
- High Temperature Testing
- Linear Reciprocating
- Variable Rolling to Sliding
Metal
- Hot Hardness
- Scratch Hardness
- Tribology and Friction Testing
- High Temperature
Optics and Glasses
- Scratch Resistance
- Indentation
Pharmaceutical
- Tribology and Friction
Polymer
- Scratch Resistance
- Indentation
- High Temperature
- Turning and Tapping Torque
Semicon
- Indentation
- Scratch Resistance
- Tribology and Friction Testing
Need A Bench Top Tribometer?
Take a look at our Multi Function Tribometer, the MFT-3000.
Need Compact Tribology?
Check out our new bench top Multi Function Tribometer, the MFT-2000