Evaluation of Writing Performance for Different Types of Ballpoint Pen Ink by Acoustic Emission Sensing

Abstract

During contact, deformation, and fracture of surface asperities between the friction surfaces of materials, acoustic emission (AE) waves are generated as the strain energy is released. By detecting the AE waves during friction using an AE sensor, the state of friction, wear, and lubrication between the friction surfaces can be measured and evaluated with high sensitivity. In this study, in order to establish a method for evaluating the writing performance of ballpoint pens by AE sensing, the measurement method was examined, and AE signal waveforms were analyzed. It was found that AE sensing can detect phenomena that do not appear as a change in frictional force during writing. In addition, frequency analysis of the AE signal waveforms revealed that differences in writing performance depending on the ink type of the ballpoint pen can be evaluated and interpreted.