Description

With the TE 69 Load Scanner geometry, the samples are indexed and the load applied by three independently controlled, but synchronised motion, actuators. Two elongated test specimens, preferably bars or rods, are used. The orientation of the test specimens and their relative sliding motion during testing is arranged in such a way that the contact spot moves along a contact path on each specimen; each spot along this path on one specimen will only make contact with one spot on the other specimen, and vice-verse. The contact spot is the area over which the contact load is distributed.

The relative motion is generated by two servo-controlled ball-screw actuators, with one connected to the lower specimen carriage and the other to the upper specimen carriage. The carriages are moved synchronously, in equal but opposite directions, so that the point of contact does not move relative to the machine.
The upper specimen carriage is mounted on a pivoted lever arm and load is applied by means of a pulley mechanism and spring, connected between the arm and a third servo actuator. This allows control of the load profile, independent of the motion control. The system can also be programmed to apply a steady or increasing load on the forward stroke, but remove the load for the reverse stroke, thus producing repeated, unidirectional motion.

Standard Load Scanner Applications

A single pass experiment resembles the test procedure often used in scratch testing of coated specimens. For coatings evaluation, it is normal to have one specimen coated and select the material from the practical application, for the counter specimen.
Reciprocating sliding tests, with stroke-wise load variation, can be used to produce conditions ranging from mild wear to scuffing, at different positions on a single pair of specimens.

Tests may be run either dry, with the rod samples carried on individual heater blocks, or lubricated, with the lower rod sample carried in a heated lubricant bath.

Alternative Configurations

With the upper specimen carriage parked, the upper sample can be replaced by a pin or an indenter. The lower specimen can now be a plate and the machine used in reciprocating pin on plate mode.

Independent control of the load allows tests to be run with a steady state load, or with a ramped load as in a conventional scratch test.

Control and Data Acquisition

COMPEND 2000 control and data acquisition software, in conjunction with Phoenix Tribology’s own USB interface module, provides automatic control of load, speed, stroke length, temperature and test duration, combined with data logging of all measured parameters.