Multi Function Tribometer

MFT-5000

The MFT-5000 is a modular and versatile universal tribometer. Analyze friction, wear, and mechanical properties. Nano, micro, and macro range with integrated 3D profilometer

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Tribometer MFT-5000 Overview

Main Features:

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.

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A Tribometer Like No Other

Versatile and 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

Wide temperature (-120 to 1200°C), humidity (5 to 95% RH), pressure (up to 200 psi), vacuum (10^-7torr).

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:

Rotary

Pin on disk tribometer, ball on disk tribometer 0.001-10,000 RPM rotational speed. Wide motor torque vs speed range.

Reciprocating

Linear reciprocating tribometer wear, pin on plate up to 80 Hz

Block On Ring

Test bearings, shafts, lubricant, and grease. Wide motor torque vs speed range

Upper Rotation

4 Ball tester, tapping torque tester, seals, thrust washer, and twist compression up to 10,000 N loads

Fretting Voice Coil

10 µm to 2.8 mm stroke, up to 300 Hz frequency. Fretting wear and fretting loop creation

Long Stroke High Speed

40 mm at 40 Hz. Test piston ring cylinder liner, engines, compressors, and more.

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

Lambda universal profilometer rtec-instruments

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 sensors for friction measurement on tribometer

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

Cryogenic to high temperature close loop chambers: -120 °C to 1200 °C

Controlled Humidity

Control humidity from 5 to 95% RH to simulate real-life scenarios

High Pressure and Vacuum

Testing solution from 10^-7Torr up to 200 PSI gas pressure with temperature control

Environment

Salt Spray, tribocorrosion, inert gas chambers for various applications

High temperature rotary chamber for tribometer

Automatic Sub nm Surface Change Image vs Time

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

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.

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