Tribology and wear testing
Tribology and wear testing infrastructure
Facilities for wear and tribology testing, including heavy abrasion, impact wear, slurry-erosion, fretting and tribology of machine elements, such as gears, bearings, and frictional joints. The equipment is designed and built to simulate the in-service conditions. The facilities cover also vibration monitoring and diagnostics of machine systems.
Research equipment
Tribology and machine elements test rigs
Test rigs for journal, thrust, and rolling bearings, FZG, Twin-disc test rig, Mini traction machine, Fretting wear and fatigue test rigs, Rotating beam fatigue machine, Vibration Testing, etc.
Wear testing equipment
Pin-on-disk/Ball-on-disk,High-speed slurry-pot type erosion tester, Crushing pin-on-disk, Uniaxial crusher, Dual pivoted jaw crusher, Impeller-tumbler, Erosion tester, Slurry erosion-corrosion tester, Cavitation erosion tester, High velocity particle impactor, Hammer mill, Block-on-ring, Rubber wheel abrasion testers, etc.
Tribology and machine elements test rigs
Test targets – evaluation of bearing performance
- friction, power loss
- failure modes, life
- lubricants, lubrication condition
- temperatures, fluid film pressures
- bearing materials and configurations
Specifications
- sliding speed 0.05 … 16 m/s
- projected pressure 0 … 15 MPa
- oil temperature, pressure and flow controls
- shaft misalignment control
- no support bearings
- automated operation and sequences
Test targets: evaluation of thrust bearing performance
- friction and power loss
- load capasity
- bearing materials and configurations
- failure modes
Specifications:
- rotating speed 0 – 2000 rpm
- external lubrication unit with oil filtering and
temperature, flow and pressure control
Test targets: testing gear contact and lubrication properties
- friction and power loss
- durability testing
- failure mechanisms, pitting, scuffing
- vibration and noise diagnostics
- on-line particle measurements
Specifications:
- closed loop type rig
- loading torque 0 ... 1000 Nm
- rotating speed 0 ... 3000 rpm
- external lubrication unit with oil filtering and temperature, flow and pressure control
Large-scale, full power bevel gear test bench – 2 MW closed loop
Collaboration of ATA Gears and TAU Tribology and Machine Elements
Test targets: evaluation of roller bearing performance
- friction and power loss
- lubricants, lubrication condition
Specifications
- bearing outer diameter 90 mm
- normal and axial loading
- oil (bath) temperature control or
- external lubrication unit with oil filtering and
temperature, flow and pressure control
Test targets: gear and rolling/sliding contact testing
- contact friction
- fatigue durability
- lubrication condition
Specifications:
- adjustable elliptical rolling/sliding contact
- contact pressure 0 ... 3.0 GPa
- static and dynamic loading
- disc grinding transversal
- automated operation and sequence
- advanced instrumentation
Read more: Savolainen, M. 2019, An Investigation into Scuffing and Subsurface Fatigue in a Lubricated Rolling/Sliding Contact. Tampere University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University Dissertations 57.
Test targets: fretting in complete contacts (i.e. ’sharp-ended’ flat-on-flat type contacts)
- fretting and plain fatigue S-N curves
- fretting wear
Specifications:
- large contact 2000 mm2
- loading frequency 0 … 50 Hz
- nominal contact pressure 0 … 200 MPa
- fully reversing or fluctuating bending loading
- automated operation (unoccupied testing)
Read more: Juoksukangas, J. 2017, Modelling and Experimental Analysis of Fretting Fatigue in Complete and Bolted Contacts. Tampere University of Technology. Publication, vol. 1472, Tampere University of Technology.
Test targets: Fretting experimentation with annular flat-on-flat contact
- fretting induced friction
- fretting induced wear and cracking
Specifications:
- large contact 314 mm2
- loading frequency: 40 Hz
- nominal contact pressure: 5…100 MPa
- tangential displacement amplitude: 5…60 µm
- automated operation
Read more: Hintikka, J. 2016, Fretting Induced Friction, Wear and Fatigue in Quenched and Tempered Steel. Tampere University of Technology. Publication, vol. 1392, Tampere University of Technology.
Torsional fretting test rig with an annular flat-on-flat contact type which simulates complex loading conditions in large area contacts with flat distributions of normal pressure and no edges in the sliding direction. One specimen in the contact is static while the other pivots about its central axis causing contact sliding. The pivoting motion is induced by two synchronously controlled tangential hydraulic cylinders while a third cylinder produces a compressive normal load up to 250 kN. The cylinders can be run independently with loading frequencies of 1–20 Hz.
Read more: Kovanen, R. Commissioning and preliminary testing of a fretting test device. MSc. Thesis. Tampere University 2022.
The mini traction machine (MTM) instrument is used to simulate the tribological contacts under lubricated and unlubricated conditions. Fully automated traction mapping under different rolling and sliding speeds is performed with different loads and temperatures. Additional features provide the anti-wear additive film growth measurement, simulation of soft contact, wear measurement and reciprocating friction.
A normal test is performed by placing a small sample of fluid in the oil pot, and then running a test consisted of series of loads, speeds slide/roll ratios, temperatures and film thickness measurement intervals. These tests can be set by the user or by running the custom programs available on the instrument software.
Specifications
- Load 0 - 75 N
- Contact Pressure 0 - 1.25 GPa (standard specimens), Up to 3.1 GPa with alternative specimens
- Speeds –4 m/s to 4 m/s
- Temperature Range Ambient to 150°C (below ambient with oil cooler)
Read more:
- Bayat, R. 2022, Evaluation of Gear Oils Lubrication Performance in a Rolling/Sliding Contact, Tampere University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University Dissertations 582
Large-scale test rig - Beam test area - diameter 32 mm and length 100 mm
- high material volume (size effect)
- different geometry shapes possible
- realistic heat treatments possible
Rotating speed 0-2800 rpm
- high loading frequency
Fully reversing bending loading
Automated operation (unoccupied testing)
Read more: Isakov, M., Rantalainen, O., Saarinen, T., & Lehtovaara, A. (2022). Large-Scale Fatigue Testing Based on the Rotating Beam Method. EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUES. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40799-022-00571-8
Vibration equipment for monitoring, diagnostics and testing. Industrial and laboratory applications.
- LMS system for machinery vibration and modal testing
- IMC data acquisition systems
- B&K and LDS shakers
- Versatile sensors for different purposes
- Strain gage equipment, wireless
- Acoustic emission vibration and sound equipment
- Versatile analysis software
Wear testing equipment
Commercial Pin-on-disk / Ball-on-disk equipment; fulfills ASTM G99 –95a standard
Sensors: 0.5-200 N, resolution 10 mN & 0.05-5 N, resolution 0.25 mN
Room Temperature Chamber
- Revolve disk speed: 0.1 - 1000 rpm
- Max. disk size: 70 mm
- Standard pins: Diameter of 6.35 and 10 mm
- Standard balls: Diameter of 6.35 and 9.5 mm
- Humidity/Gases Chamber (no controls)
- Possibility to use lubricants
- Humidity control: 5-95%RH
High-Temperature Chamber:
- Temperature up to 1000°C
- Revolve disk speed: 0.1 - 1000 rpm
- Max. disc size: 50 mm
- Standard specimens:
- Standard pins: Diameter of 6.35 and 10 mm
- Standard balls: Diameter of 6.35 and 9.5 mm
Read more: Lindroos M. 2016, Experimental and Numerical Studies on the Abrasive and Impact Behavior of Wear Resistant Steels. Doctoral Thesis,Tampere University of Technology, 2016. 244 p.
Testing of wear resistant materials in high stress erosive or abrasive wear conditions for example in slurry pumps, mining applications, dredging, loader buckets, containers, etc.
Testing of mineral abrasiveness in a slurry or in dry conditions
Key design features
- high rotation speed: up to 2000 rpm (20 m/s in the sample tip)
- large abrasive size: 0-10 mm
- suitable for testing of metal bars or plates, thick and thin coatings, elastomers, and hybrid materials
- possibility to edge protection
- flow conditions vary in 4 sample levels ® requires sample rotation
- variable sample sizes and shapes
Read more:
- Ojala, N. 2017, Application Oriented Wear Testing of Wear Resistant Steels in Mining Industry. Tampere University of Technology. Publication, vol. 1469, Tampere University of Technology
- Valtonen, K. 2018, Relevance of Laboratory Wear Experiments for the Evaluation of In-Service Performance of Materials. Tampere University of Technology. Publication, vol. 1587, Tampere University of Technology.
- Matikainen, V. 2022, Modern HVAF Spray Process and Cr3C2 -Based Coatings : Exploring the process, structure, properties and performance, Tampere University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University Dissertations 600.
Pin is repeatedly pressed against the gravel bed and the disk with a pneumatic cylinder (200-500N)
Pin does not come into direct contact with the disk at any time -> wear of the components due to abrasive ploughing and cutting on the pin and disk surfaces
During the test, the abrasive size decreases at different rates, depending on the pin-disk combination.
Simulates cone or jaw crusher
Specimen:
- Diameter of 36 mm
- Height of 35 mm
- Flat area 1000 mm²
Disk:
- Diameter of 160 mm
- Thickness of 2-155 mm
- Rotating velocity control
Read more:
- Valtonen, K. 2018, Relevance of Laboratory Wear Experiments for the Evaluation of In-Service Performance of Materials. Tampere University of Technology. Publication, vol. 1587, Tampere University of Technology.
- Heino, V. 2018, The Effect of Rock Properties on the High Stress Abrasive Wear Behavior of Steels, Hardmetals and White Cast Irons. Tampere University of Technology. Publication, vol. 1575, Tampere University of Technology.
The equipment crushes the abrasive uniaxially between two specimens with a high pressure
Controlled amount of the abrasive
Simulates e.g. High Pressure Grinding Rolls
Specimen: area of 1000mm², height of 35 mm and diameter of 36 mm
Impacts with the hydraulic cylinder:
- 6 bar (max) 86 kN
- 5 bar 69 kN
- 4 bar 53 kN
- 3 bar 39 kN
- 2 bar 23 kN
Read more:
- Valtonen, K. 2018, Relevance of Laboratory Wear Experiments for the Evaluation of In-Service Performance of Materials. Tampere University of Technology. Publication, vol. 1587, Tampere University of Technology.
Laboratory scale jaw crusher for studying the mechanisms of abrasive wear during mineral crushing
Key design features
- control of jaw movement without changing the test geometry, enabling accurate control of the compression-sliding ratio
- versatile instrumentation for monitoring the wear processes, including piezoelectric force sensors, high speed video systems, etc.
Test outcomes
- wear of both jaw specimen
- work in Fz and Fy directions
- feed size reduction to product
Specimen
- jaw plate size 75*25*10 mm
- abrasive particle size 6-14 mm
Read more: Terva, J. 2017, The effect of compression and sliding movement on the wear resistance of steels and crushing work in mineral crushing. Tampere University of Technology. Publication, vol. 1458, Tampere University of Technology.
Impeller-Tumbler impact-abrasive wear tester simulates wear in mineral handling applications, such as earth moving machinery and impactor plants.
- During the test, an impeller with three samples (75*25*10 mm) rotates inside a rotating tumbler filled with gravel.
- Impeller rotating speed up to 700 rpm, tumbler rotating speed up to 120 rpm
- Variables: sample angle, gravel size distribution, type, and amount
- One sample is the reference -> changes in mineral composition controllable
Read more: Ratia,V. Behavior of Martensitic Wear Resistant Steels in Abrasion and Impact Wear Testing Conditions, Doctoral Thesis, Tampere University of Technology, 2015
Wear testing of materials and coatings at room temperature with centrifugal accelerator
- Impact angle: 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, or 90°
- Impact velocity: 0-80 m/s
- Abrasive typically quartz
- Abrasive size: up to 600 µm
- Sample size: 20*15 mm, thickness 5 mm
- Samples quantity: up to 15 samples
Read more: Matikainen, V. 2022, Modern HVAF Spray Process and Cr3C2 -Based Coatings : Exploring the process, structure, properties and performance, Tampere University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University Dissertations 600.
Pulse Jet erosion wear tester simulates fine particle erosion for example in vertical pipelines
- Impingment angle close to 0° and/or 90°
- Sample size: 240 mm x 20 mm x 5-20 mm
- Particle size and pressure determined the flow: e.g. with 2 mm particles the velocity is in the range of 15-25 m/s with 6 bar pressure
Read more: Shahroz, A. 2019. Hardfaced wear resistant coatings for mining tools
Two rotating hammers creating high energy impacts. If abrasive is used, it is fed between the hammer and the specimen from a container through a feeder tube
Hammers:
- Speed: 5,1-9,0 m/s
- Impact energy: 21,9-66,9 J
- Typical speed 7 m/s and impact energy 50 J
Specimen:
- 80mm x 80mm – 250mm x 250mm
- Thickness 15-45mm
Test Method for cavitation erosion using vibratory apparatus Vibra-Cell VCX-500 ultrasonic processor. Allows process control and monitoring from 1°C to 100°C with 20 kHz frequency and 50 µm amplitude. Test standard ASTM G32-10.
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Test parameters |
|
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Frequency |
20 kHz |
|
Amplitude |
50 μm |
|
Distance to sample |
0.6±0.1 mm |
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Water temperature |
25±1 °C |
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Tip diameter |
13 mm |
Read more: Matikainen, V. 2022, Modern HVAF Spray Process and Cr3C2 -Based Coatings : Exploring the process, structure, properties and performance, Tampere University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University Dissertations 600.
High velocity particle impactor (HVPI)
- Developed for the model verification and to identify the basic mechanisms influencing the impact wear and failure behavior of materials
- More information (link to advanced mechanics of materials)
Dry sand rubber wheel abrasion testing device
- Low stress abrasion tester with five sample positions.
- Used abrasive: 100-600 µm quartzite
Slurry Abrasion Testing Device
Block-on-Ring
Surface fatigue wear tester
- Attached to Servohydraulic Instron mechanical testing machine
- Holder moves after every step
- Intender ball, cylinder or spike
- Area covered: 15 x 15 mm
Slurry erosion-corrosion system
- Possible to determinate slurry erosion with or without corrosion
- Potentiostat for corrosion measurements
Related infrastructures at Tampere University
User policy and pricing
Policy for users from Tampere University
The staff mainly trains people to use the instruments independently and provides support and training. We can also help you analyse your sample especially in cases where you need the more advanced techniques. For more information, contact us.
Policy and fees for external partners
For more information, contact us.
Tribology and wear research
Tribology and wear research at Tampere University concentrates on both basic and applied aspects of tribology and wear, trying to bridge the gap between scientific basic research and applied industrial research and development. The aim is to provide in-depth insight into the mechanisms of tribology and wear and thereby facilitate the development of new wear resistant materials and to find solutions to the practical wear problems constantly faced by the industry.
Research groups
Tribology and wear research is linked to the development of all kind of materials, including metals, coatings, polymers, elastomers, and ceramics. Read more from the webpages of the research groups.
