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 a more expansive 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. As a result, the MFT-5000 is perfect for a complete and comprehensive analysis of coefficient 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, large available space provides current or future application modules to mount on one platform.

Lower Interchangeable Module
Interchangeable fast-exchange modules perform 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 sample 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. The stage moves modules between test and image positions to create custom motions. Also, slow speed reciprocating, scratch, and combined X-Y motions.

Data Acquisition, Motion Controller
Advanced high speed, low noise, fast feedback, multiple channels, and 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. Thus, the profilometer correlates the tribology data with surface topography easily. The technology is specifically optimized for tribology-related tests. Notably, the lambda head model combines four optical techniques on one head – interferometer, confocal, dark field, and bright field imaging. Therefore, it can easily measure any surface– transparent, rough, smooth, and steep slopes surface. In addition, 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. In fact, the wide load range extends from nN to 10,000 N with easily interchangeable load cells. In addition, the sensors come with various configurations: forces measured in 1, 2, or 6 axes.


Capacitive Load Cells
Highest resolution load cells with 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 for measuring 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
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 a linear reciprocating test. 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, providing 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. It is essential to conduct experiments in conditions close to the real application to get valuable tribological data. Meaningful data is now easy as the Universal Tribometer provides custom motions, a wide load range, customized holders, and drives.
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?
Learn more about our dual force Multi Function Tribometer, the MFT-3000.
Need Compact Tribology?
Check out our new bench top Multi Function Tribometer, the MFT-2000
Want to learn more?
Get in touch, and request a demo.
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