How to Measure Abrasion
ABRASION is the erosion of material from a solid surface by the action of another solid. When material is removed by contact with hard particles, abrasive wear occurs. The particles either may be present at the surface of a second material or may exist as loose particles between two surfaces.
Abrasive materials are widely used across a variety of industries for polishing, grinding, honing and other similar processes. The efficacy of these materials relies on their frictional properties, which can be calculated as the force required to draw the material across a given surface. Assessment of these properties will allow manufacturers to evaluate the suitability of their products for a specific use. The test results will also highlight differences between grades or brands of abrasive materials.
Typical Methods and Fixtures for Measurement in action:
An Abrasive Test Rig analyses the frictional properties of a wide range of materials such as sandpaper, dental abrasive strips and flexible nail files, enabling manufacturers to highlight strengths, weaknesses and variations in product lines and materials and obtain quantifiable results from a friction measurement.
Prior to performing the test, a sample of the abrasive material is held in place in a self-tightening grip. As the test is carried out, the arm of the TA.XTplus or TA.HDplus draws the sample under and around a cylinder at 90 degrees and the force required to pull the material is recorded. The cylinder material is customer-specific according to the substrate over which the sample is required to abrade.
Exponent software is then employed to analyse the multi-peak force profiles obtained and apply special calculations to evaluate the frictional properties of the material. For coarse samples, a wider fluctuating force band will be recorded, while for the finer materials, a narrower force band can be expected.
As well as providing an accurate measurement of the frictional properties of the material, the results recorded can also be used to evaluate the stick/slip characteristics of the abrasive sample. This can be achieved by calculating the force difference between the maximum and minimum peaks obtained.
Typical properties that can be obtained from a texture analyser graph:
Mean Friction Force, Stick/Slip
Typical Texture Analyser graph with annotated properties of dental abrasive strip test
Typical Probe/Fixture used for Measurement:
Abrasive Test Rig >>
The above are only typical examples of abrasion measurement. We can, of course, design and manufacture probes or fixtures that are bespoke to your sample and its specific measurement.
Once your measurement is performed, our expertise in its graphical interpretation is unparalleled – no-one understands texture analysis like we do. Not only can we develop the most suitable and accurate method for the testing of your sample, but we can prepare analysis procedures that obtain the desired parameters from your curve and drop them into a spreadsheet or report designed around your requirements.
Show me more properties that a Texture Analyser can measure
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