Universal tribometer
POD-4.0

The Linear Reciprocating Module (LRM) is a specialized option for the DUCOM POD-4.0 tribometer, which allows you to reproduce linear reciprocating motion, a flat, pin or ball tip is loaded with a certain weight. The test samples can have different shapes (for example, cylindrical). The length of the track can be adjusted before starting the measurement. Once the test begins, the tip creates a linear wear path.

Friction forces are recorded both when moving forward and when moving backward. The speed of movement corresponds to a sine wave with a maximum speed in the middle of the track. Friction will change at each position of the track, depending on the speed and direction of movement. Wear rates for the counterbody and specimen are calculated from the mass of material lost.

The linear wear module provides accurate and simple measurement of friction force.

Tribological tests in rotary motion mode reproduce the rotational motions that are often found in real mechanisms. A counterbody in the form of a ball, needle or rod is applied to the sample under study with a given load and at a certain distance from the center of rotation. As the counterbody moves, it creates a wear groove on the specimen. The coefficient of friction is calculated using a precision load cell and can be determined for any point or zone of interest during each test cycle. In addition, it is possible to quickly and smoothly change the rotation speed from 0.1 to 2000 rpm to obtain the dependence of the friction coefficient on speed. Speeds up to 0.1 rpm are important for studying friction in the static region and for understanding the transition from a static coefficient of friction to a dynamic one. The wear rate can be calculated from a 2D or 3D wear groove profile.

Tribometers DUCOM POD-4.0 allow you to study the wear of materials at elevated temperatures up to 1000 °C in rotation mode and up to 400 °C in linear movement mode. Thermocouple built into the furnace ensures uniform and stable temperature distribution around the sample.

Reliability of the installation during high-temperature tests is ensured through the use of heat-resistant alloys in device components operating at extremely high temperatures. The drive is protected from temperature effects and overheating through the use of carefully selected insulating materials and a specialized design of bearings and shafts.

The installation is designed on a block-modular principle and allows for various types of tests. The oven can be replaced with a low-temperature chamber, which allows testing at temperatures down to -40 °C.

The cooling system can be supplied in two versions:

• Water cooling based on a chiller, requires periodic maintenance;
• Super sealed oven: no maintenance or additional utilities required.

Designed to evaluate the electrochemical behavior of materials during friction and wear tests, the Ducom Multi Autolab tribocorrosion module is installed.

The system is additionally equipped with a specialized Multi Autolab module, which is a multichannel potentiostat/galvanostat. It allows you to determine resistance, corrosion rate (mm/year), corrosion current, corrosion potential according to ASTM G59 and ASTM G102. All devices are made of dielectric materials.