The test method measures the lubricity, or ability of a fluid to affect friction between, and wear to surfaces in relative motion under load. The system is entirely controlled by a PC via a custom electronic interface. The entire process from the loading of the specimen, attaining the temperature, achieving the required pre-defined frequency to maintaining the required defined/set load during the test duration (please note that the load tends to increase due to the heating of the specimen & the test sample), controlling the stroke length to the:-

• Measurement of frictional force.
• The calculated value of the coefficient of friction (at any particular time of friction/wear).
• Scar measurement.

is automated and controlled by the software.

All the test parameters can be pre-defined / or set manually for the test sequence and controlled by simple menu-driven control software. The software times the test and logs friction coefficient, temperature & specimen contact resistance at user-defined intervals.

The mechanical unit uses an electromagnetic drive to oscillate the upper test ball against a fixed lower plate/disc. The digital control system and the absence of bearings and sliding components in the mechanical unit ensure absolute repeatability of stroke length and frequency. Accurate & repeatable loading is ensured by using an automated loading arrangement (not a dead weight loading arrangement used normally). Platinum RTD temperature probes are used for the specimen and safety cut-out temperature measurements. Piezoelectric transducers are used for very precise measurements of load, friction & amplitude/stroke length. Humidity probe to record the RH trace in the bath in the software.

Collected data is displayed in a graph form during the test. It is continuously updated, saved in text format, and can easily be recalled (online during the test/offline from recorded data) and printed.

Wear scar measurements/dimensions are done automatically (in the x, y & z axis) thru the microscope and saved in the respective test data/log file automatically for online/offline analysis.

State-of-the-art menu-driven software is used for running the tests & recording the data. The software also allows multiple temperature steps & ramps during a single test – widely used for lubricant boundary friction measurements. The software allows the user to pre-define the graphs and recall the earlier recorded test data online (real-time: during the test) for off-line analysis:

The software controls to ensure the user-set limits to maintain the safety of the equipment and will shut down in case of any failure due to any reason.

• Mechanical Test Unit With upper and lower specimen holders, with standard test specimen/s (6mm ball and 10 mm disc).
• Data Acquisition & Control System: Controls Stroke length, reciprocation frequency, temperature, and load. Logs all test measurements to spreadsheet compatible file for printout, storage for on-line/off-line detailed analysis. This also includes IPC: C2D, LCD monitor, with all the interface hardware between PC & the test unit along with the Lazer printer.
• Microscope (for manual scar measurement).
• Humidity Cabinet – houses the test unit.
• Set of 100 test specimens.
• Extra set of Heater Cartridges.
• User instructions Manual.
• Tool Set (Allen keys).

• Mechanical Test Unit With upper and lower specimen holders, with standard test specimen/s (6mm ball and 10 mm disc).
• Data Acquisition & Control System: Controls Stroke length, reciprocation frequency, temperature, and load. Logs all test measurements to spreadsheet compatible file for printout, storage for on-line/off-line detailed analysis. This also includes IPC: C2D, LCD monitor, with all the interface hardware between PC & the test unit along with the Lazer printer.
• Microscope (for manual scar measurement).
• Humidity Cabinet – houses the test unit.
• Set of 100 test specimens.
• Extra set of Heater Cartridges.
• User instructions Manual.
• Tool Set (Allen keys).

FunctionsControls:  Stroke length, reciprocation frequency, temperature, and test duration. Allows recalling of the test data file for REAL-TIME ANALYSIS.SafetyThe software monitors & controls the defined limits