Central Research Facility NITK

Friction and Wear Monitor (Scratch Tester)

[TR- 101, DUCOM, India]

Located at: CRF Annexe - F05

Features:

Compact, benchtop instrument with inline microscope.

Automated load control (continuous, fixed and ramp).

Automated scratch test profile: Software controlled movement of test specimen along X and Y axis for unidirectional scratch, bidirectional scratches and scratches at different location on the specimen.

Acoustic emission sensor to detect early damage of the coating.

Environment chamber: Lubricant corrosion cup with temperature control for testing biomaterials at physiological conditions.

Resolution/Specification:

Force (normal and tangential) = 2 to 200 N

Loading Rate = 0.01 to 20 N/s

Multi-axis stage = x-axis, y-axis travel 75 mm (min)

Linear stage = travel 75 mm (min)

Stroke (X) = 0 to 50 mm (100 micron resolution)

Speed = 10 micron/s to 5 mm/s

Sample size =

Scratch stylus =

Indentation stylus =

Optical imaging =

Acoustic emission

List of Facilities:

Scratch loading (constant, progressional, incremental)

Scratch motion (single, multiple scratches, bidirectional)

Full control of length, speed and loading rate

Instrumented indentation

Application domains:

Critical load of hard and brittle coatings like titanium nitride, ceramics

Determination of working load limit of soft coatings like PTFE and other polymers

Identification of process parameters of heat treatment for best scratch resistance

Estimation of bond strength at substrate - coating interface

Product development and quality control of surface engineered products

Testing Charges (per sweep).

	Normal Scratch Testing	Scratch Testing with Temperature analysis	Indentation only	Indentation upto 400℃
NITK	Rs. 500/-	Rs. 600/-	Rs. 200/-	Rs. 400/-
Academic & Research Institute*	Rs. 750/-	Rs. 900/-	Rs. 300/-	Rs. 600/-
Industry*	Rs. 1000/-	Rs. 1200/-	Rs. 400/-	Rs. 800/-

*Sample preparation charges, GST(18%) extra. Above charges are for providing raw data.