Friction and wear tester

Abstract

A compact and simple in design device (friction machine) for testing materials for friction and wear is developed. The device is intended for determination of the wear resistance and friction coefficient of structural, frictional and antifriction materials, as well as the tribological characteristics of lubricants. The measurement system of the device includes spring helical and flat spiral elastic elements, combined in one node and designed to measure the normal force and friction torque, respectively. Metal-cutting machines can be used as an external drive of the device. The friction machine was tested when measuring the wear rate and the value of the friction coefficient of the samples of cast iron SCh20, brass L63, technical aluminum A7, as well as modified aluminum A7 with improved mechanical characteristics. The materials were tested in tandem with a counter-sample made of hardened steel 95Kh18 according to the ball-ring scheme in dry friction mode and in boundary lubrication mode using I-20A industrial oil at a normal load of 50 N and a linear velocity in the contact zone of 0.5 m/sec. The wear degree was estimated by the weight loss. The obtained results are characterized by the sufficient accuracy and reproducibility. A severe wear of brass is observed at a given testing load. Tests of the aluminum samples modified with ultrafine diamond-graphite powder UDP-AG obtained from explosives showed an increase in the tribological characteristics by 10 – 18%.