A MULTIPASS SCANNING TRIBOMETER FOR ONLINE FRICTION AND WEAR MAPPING

A pin on flat friction test rig is presented allowing for simultaneous on-line monitoring of friction as well as pin on flat wear during lin ear unidirectional sliding. It can be run either in the simple multipa ss (identical track) or in the scanning mode. Detailed wear-induced mo difications in surface morphology of the friction partners are studied by conventional, P.C.-driven, tactile 3D profilometry. Data presentat ion is done by means of 3D topographical projections of the real surfa ce as well as ''triboscopic'' mapping of friction either versus slidin g distance and pass number for multipass sliding in the same wear trac k or versus the sliding distance and track number in the scanning mode . This system is used to do wear mechanism analysis of hard chromium p lated construction steel specimens as compared to standard pin on disc , rotational operation. The observed difference in wear is explained b y the abrasive action of debris generated during friction.