nanovea.comTRIBOMETERS | Wear Friction Tribology

TRIBOMETER INTRO

The Nanovea Tribometer (Table Top 60 x 39 x 62 cm) offers precise and repeatable wear and

friction testing using pin-on-disk and linear modes. Designed, at the core, with a high quality

motor and a 20bit position encoder, the Tribometer provides access to an unmatched range of

rotational speeds from 0.01 to 2000rpm. High resolution means that data can be accurately

recorded at specified interval of time or position (>0.006°). The motor has an integrated self-

tuning system which ensures that speed remains calibrated through time. Full and precise control

of the motor ensures that a series of step speeds can be run continuously during the tests.

For wear measurement, weight loss can be measured using a sensitive weight scale before

and after the test. Furthermore, an LVDT can be attached to the measuring arm to record

depth during the test. This gives the possibility to follow the change of wear rate versus time.

Friction force is measured directly with a stiff load cell which offers high resolution with

excellent mechanical and thermal stability;

unlike other systems that rely only on LVDT for

friction measurement. A ball, pin or flat holder is attached to the measuring arm which can be precisely

positioned to a resolution of 2.5micron using the standard motorized table. Several testing options are

available to closely match real environment conditions. The Tribometer comes standard with an acrylic

enclosure and attached valves which brings inert and other gases to achieve a controlled environment. An

optional humidifier and dehumidifier module allows precise control of the humidity levels. For high

temperature pin on disk, up to 900°C, an oven allows control to better than 1°C. A linear heating plate is

used for reciprocating test up to 300°C. Various cups are available for controlled liquid testing. Tests can

either be done under full immersion or using the Lubrication system with drop by drop or control spray. A

liquid heating module is also available to provide controlled liquid heating up to 150°C. To precisely measure wear track volume, a full 3D non-contact

optical profiler, installed on the Tribometer platform, is available to quantify wear loss in a fast and convenient way without removing the sample. The

Tribometer software uses this information and the test parameters to calculate a precise wear rate for the specific test. The profiler, which has extended

capability, can also be used for surface topography measurements including roughness. A Flexible mobile imaging option allows zoom-in ability to record

the sample surface for playback review.

TRIBOMETER TESTING

Pin-on-Disk (ASTM G99) | Pin-on-Disk operates on the following principle: a flat, pin or ball is loaded

onto a test sample with a precisely known weight and at a specific position from the center to create a

circular wear track as the bottom plate rotates. The friction coefficient is determined during the test by

measuring the deflection of the direct load cell. Wear rates for the pin and the disk are calculated from the

volume of material lost during the test.

Linear Reciprocating (ASTM G133) | The Linear Module

reproduces the reciprocating motion typical in many real-world

mechanisms. The instrument produces a friction coefficient for both the forward and backward movements

of the stroke. This reciprocating technique is very useful for studying the static coefficient of friction over

time, as opposed to the kinetic coefficient measured with the Pin-on-Disk wear testing geometry. The

software allows change of friction at any specific point along one lap to be plotted versus time.

CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT TESTING

Humidity Control System | A standard acrylic enclosure makes it possible to use specific salt baths to create various humid atmospheres. A full

humidity control system is available for applications requiring a higher level of control. This advanced option includes a dehumidification and

humidification apparatus in addition to the automatic humidity controller with sensor.

CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT TESTING

Pin-on-Disk High Temperature (Up to 900°C) | Analysis of friction & wear properties at elevated

temperatures is becoming increasingly important, as engineers face ever more challenging materials in

applications such as the design of advanced fuel efficient combustion engines and power plants. The High

Temperature removable heating element enables the rotating disk to reach temperatures up to 900°C; suitable

for use in the study of high temperature ceramics, lubricants, oils, additives and self-lubricating materials. Two

level of oven are available, one for temperature up to 600°C and one for elevated temperatures up to 900°C. A

thermocouple measures temperature directly on the ball or in the oven close to the sample surface. This is

more accurate than measuring remotely from under the sample or close to the heating element.

Linear High Temperature (Up to 300°C) | Available for wear & friction testing of in-situ conditions, in a

range of deposition technologies. This range is also ideal to study polymers just under their melting point.

Temperatures near 37°C are suitable for bio material studies of wear and friction properties under bodily

fluid, such as those found in artificial joint applications.

Lubrication Systems | An advanced Lubrication system makes it possible for drop-by-drop or controlled

spray testing on the surface surface. Specialized cups with spill protection features are available for

submerged testing.

Liquid Heating Module (Up to 150°C) | A heating coil is available to control liquid temperature up to 150°C. This allows temperatures near 37°C

which are suitable for bio material studies of wear and friction properties under bodily fluid, such as those found in artificial joint applications. This range of

temperatures is also ideal for the study of lubrications such as oils.

ENHANCED TESTING

Electrical Resistance Contact Detector | To extend the capability of the Tribometer, an electrical rotative connector can be installed at the base of

the motor to provide electrical contact to the rotating sample under test. There are multiple uses such as measuring the change in resistance during wear

of an insulator coating to a conductive substrate or to connect a device under test to detect the exact moment when the device fails under wear testing.

An additional area of use includes measuring corrosion with wear using a specific corrosion cell, electrodes and potentiostat.

TRIBOMETER OPTICS

3D Optical Profiler | To precisely measure the wear track with 2D and 3D, a full non-contact optical profiler

can be integrated on the Tribometer platform. This advanced feature provides measurement of volume while

software uses the information and the test parameters to calculate a precise wear rate for the specific test. The

profiler, which has extended capability, can also be used for roughness, dimensions and many other surface

topography studies. The optical profiler has zero influence from sample reflectivity, variations require no

sample preparation and has advanced ability to measure high surface angles. Unlike other optical

techniques, Nanovea optical profiler provides ability to measure any material, whether transparent,

opaque, specular, diffusive, polished or rough. Large pen selection for varying dynamic vertical

measurements. Excellent vertical and spatial resolution. The superior availability to surface topography measurement during tribological study is ideal

for determining the correlation between surface characteristics and wear and friction results.

Digital Mobile Imaging | The flexible mobile zoom imaging capture can be moved by hand to

conveniently allow zoom-in microscope capability while recording for play back review. This feature is

especially useful for later review of surface wear during actual testing. Zoom from 5x to 200x is available.

TRIBOMETER SOFTWARE

Tribometer Wear/Friction Software | Includes a complete set of features for installing the

Tribometer and analyzing wear and friction data: Wear rate calculation of ball and sample and quickly

exportable in CSV format for Excel. Easily filters data, graph manipulations, test parameters &

information editing. Additional options include: Note saving, Real-time display of coefficient of friction,

temperature, depth and pin-substrate electrical contact, Macros test running single sample at multiple

speeds. Automated motorized radial positioning, High temperature furnace control and ON-OFF

lubrication control. Coefficient of friction safety monitor with automatic shut off at friction threshold.

3D Mechanical Software | The 3D Mechanical Software is a complete software package for

scanning using the integrated non-contact profiling sensor. After a test, the wear testing arm is lifted

automatically with and removed from the measuring area. User friendly ability to scan specified areas

of interest or a single profile. Creates 3D representation of the scan. Quick analysis of roughness, critical

dimensions, topography and full pre and post test area profile. Zoom Functions. Data export in ASCII

format & Mountain analysis software. Analyze surface distance and height. Allows user to compare scan

with optical microscope observation.

TRIBOMETER APPLICATIONS

Nanovea Tribometers provide superior wear and friction testing, at Micro through Macro range, for Tribology study in industries including:

Automotive, Tooling, Coatings, Metallurgy, Biomedical, Aerospace, Petroleum, Cosmetics and many others.

40N

(1) 1N, (2) 2N,(1) 5N, (1) 10N, (1) 20N

30mN

0.01 to 2000 rpm

1270mN.m

20N

0.4mN

50mm

0 to 5mm/s

2.5μm

60 x 39 x 62 cm

67kg

100mm

Up to 140mm/s

0 to 35mm Adjustable

2Hz

40Hz

1 mm

0.1μm

600°C or 900°C +/-1°C

Diam. 250mm x 70mm

300°C +/-1°C

54x90x30

100x30mm

60 - 90 cm3/hour

120ml

150°C +/-1°C

0 to 1000Ohms

50mmx50mm

100 μm

14nm

3micron

1.3 Megapixel (1280x1024 res)

10~70x,~230x

PIN-ON-DISK MODULE

Maximum Load

Normal Force (Weights)

Load Resolution

Rotational Speed

Maximum Torque

Friction Force Maximum

Friction Resolution (noise floor)

X Motorized table for radius computer controlled

Maximum speed of X radius Motorized Table

Resolution of X radius position

Instrument Dimension (Table Top)

Weight Approx.

Disk Size

LINEAR RECIPROCATING MODULE

Linear Speed

Stroke Length (Amplitude)

Frequency at full stroke

Frequency maximum

LVDT DEPTH MODULE

Maximum Displacement

Resolution (Noise Floor)

PIN-ON-DISK HIGH TEMPERATURE

Maximum Temperature

Oven Size

LINEAR HIGH TEMPERATURE

Maximum Temperature

LUBRICATION CUPS

Linear Cup Inner Size

Pin-on-Disk Cup Inner Size

LUBRICATION SYSTEM

Pulverization Module - Liquid Consumption

Drop Count Reservoir

LIQUID HEATING MODULE

Maximum Temperature

ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE CONTACT DETECTOR

Maximum resistance

3D OPTICAL PROFILER MODULE

X-Y range

Height Range

Height Resolution

Lateral Resolution

DIGITAL MOBILE IMAGING

Resolution

Magnification

TRIBOMETER SPECS

*Specifications may change, please contact Nanovea for clarification.

Nanovea is the result of 16 years experience providing professional solutions

and experienced service throughout the fields of nano/micro/macro profilometry,

mechanical, tribology, imaging and other related fields of materials research & development

industries. After years of client feedback and the dedication to providing superior instrumental

solutions, Nanovea was launched in 2004 as a privately held California corporation.

From the Irvine, CA office Nanovea designs and manufactures Profilometers, Mechanical Testers &

Tribometers to combine the most advanced testing capabilities in the industry: Scratch Adhesion,

Indentation Hardness, Wear Friction & 3D Non-Contact Metrology at Nano, Micro & Macro range.

Unlike other manufactures Nanovea also provides Laboratory Services, offering clients availability to

the latest technology and optimal results through improvements in material testing standards.

Today's Standard For Tomorrow's Materials

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