Overview
The Pin on Disc Wear Apparatus (tribometer) tests friction and wear behaviour of material pairs by pressing a stationary pin (specimen) against a rotating disc under controlled normal load. The friction force is measured continuously by a load cell, and the wear volume is determined by measuring pin weight loss or scar dimensions before and after the test. Students study the effect of normal load, sliding speed, and material pair on coefficient of friction (COF) and specific wear rate, and construct Stribeck-type curves or load-wear maps. The apparatus is essential for tribological characterisation of engineering materials, lubricants, and coatings used in bearings, gears, and machine elements.
Specifications
| Pin material | various (steel, polymer, ceramic) |
| Disc material | hardened steel, cast iron (replaceable) |
| Normal load | 1 to 200 N |
| Disc speed | 100 to 2000 RPM |
| Sliding speed | 0.1 to 5 m/s |
| Friction force | load cell, +/-0.1 N resolution |
| Track radius | 10 to 100 mm (adjustable) |
| Power supply | 220V AC, 50 Hz |