Lubricant Anti-Wear Performance Tester

Lubricant Anti-Wear Performance Tester

Wear control is fundamental to extending machinery life and reducing operational downtime. The Lubricant Anti-Wear Performance Tester from Changsha Friend Experimental Analysis Instrument Co., Ltd. assesses the protective properties of oils and additives under boundary and mixed lubrication regimes.

Based on a four-ball or pin-on-disk configuration, the tester brings metallic specimens into sliding or rolling contact under defined loads (up to 200 N), speeds (0.1–2 m/s), and temperatures (ambient to 200 °C). During the test, the lubricant film separates the surfaces; frictional torque and wear scar dimensions are continuously monitored.

The four-ball module uses three stationary balls arranged in a cradle with the fourth rotating against them. In the pin-on-disk setup, a hardened steel pin slides across a rotating disk. Both configurations measure wear scar diameter or volume loss via image analysis after testing. Friction coefficient is recorded in real time by a torque sensor.

Design highlights include a closed-loop temperature control jacket, high-speed motor with speed stabilization, and an interchangeable specimen holder system. Software supports customized test sequences—wear-in, steady-state, and stepwise load tests—and automated report generation.

Industries benefiting from this tester include automotive transmission, hydraulic systems, industrial compressors, and wind-turbine gearboxes. R&D teams screen new base oils and anti-wear additives, while quality control ensures that production fluids meet performance benchmarks.

Best practices include polishing specimens to a uniform finish (Ra < 0.1 µm), conditioning the lubricant by vacuum degassing, and calibrating torque sensors before each test batch. Post-test, specimens should be cleaned in solvent and dried thoroughly for accurate wear measurement.