Abrasion Testing Methods

Element's abrasion testing capabilities include Taber abrasion, rubber wheel abrasion, pin abrasion, RCA abrasion, and more.

Pin abrasion testing (ASTM G132) is performed using two pin specimens; the subject material and a reference material. A pin is positioned perpendicular to an abrasive surface, which is mounted on and supported by a flat surface. The pin abrasion testing machine permits relative motion between the abrasive surface and the pin surface. The wear track of the pin is continuous and non-overlapping. The pin rotates about its axis during testing. The amount of wear is determined by weight loss. ASTM G132 calls for a reference specimen to be included in the calculation in order to correct for abrasivity variations.

Rubber wheel abrasion testing (ASTM G65) is performed by loading a rectangular test sample against a rotating rubber wheel and depositing sand of controlled grit size, composition, and flow rate between them. The mass of the test sample is recorded before and after conducting a test. To develop a comparison table for ranking different materials, it is necessary to convert this mass loss data to volume loss in order to account for the differences in material densities.

Taber abrasion testing (ASTM D1044 and ASTM D4060) is performed by mounting a flat specimen, either square or round, to a turntable platform that rotates two abrasive wheels over the specimen at a fixed speed and pressure. One wheel rubs the specimen outward toward the periphery and the other, inward toward the center. Specimen mass (ASTM D4060) or haze (ASTM D1044) is measured pre-test and post-test to allow for material property comparisons. A wide variety of abrasive wheels are available for Taber abrasion testing, depending upon the project goal.

Other abrasion methods offered:
Los Angeles Abrasion Testing per ASTM C131
Martindale Abrasion Testing per ASTM D4966
RCA Abrasion Testing per ASTM F2357
Rotary Platform Abrasion per ASTM C501, ASTM D1117, ASTM D3389, ASTM D3884, ASTM D6037, ISO 9352
Solder Mask Abrasion Testing (Pencil Method) per IPC-TM-650
Wyzenbeek Abrasion Testing per ASTM D4157

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