nanovea.com TRIBOMETERS | Wear Friction Tribology

TRIBOMETERS | Wear Friction Tribology
nanovea.com

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 selftuning
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.

TRIBOMETER SPECS
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
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
*Specifications may change, please contact Nanovea for clarification.

Today's Standard For Tomorrow's Materials
Nanovea is the result of over 20 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.
nanovea.com