The Tribology and Coatings Engineering group at TWI’s Middlesbrough facility, in collaboration with Bruker Nano Surfaces, have developed world-leading technology for wear testing at sub-zero conditions with the addition of a cold stage for their Bruker TriboLab.
The TriboLab will expand the range for our tribology work from -50◦C to 1000◦C and has particular application for the aerospace and astrospace sectors.
With the addition of sub-zero temperature wear testing, TWI can now undertake linear reciprocating, pin-on-disc and block-on-ring tests, both under lubrication and at elevated temperatures up to 1000◦C and in inert atmospheres and at loads of 0.1mN to 100N. In addition to this type of testing, TWI also offers a wider range of testing such as Taber Abrasion and Nano-scratch testing.
Allowing for the study of two interacting surfaces to examine the effects of friction, lubrication, wear, conformity and environmental conditions, this lab-based testing offers a greater understanding of materials surface properties, which can be transferred to full-scale applications. Wear testing can also be linked to numerical models to develop improved materials performance in industrial applications. See our webinar for more info.
The Bruker TriboLab was funded by both the European Regional Development Fund and the addition of the cold-stage was funded by European Collaborative Clean Sky 2 MOTIVE Project. You can discover more about TWI’s tribology capabilities here.
