The Variable Velocity Tribotester

Abstract

Friction tests under controlled conditions are crucial for the understanding of the boundary layer dynamics in technical brake systems. The dynamics of the friction interface characterize the braking performance, which has to be evaluated and monitored in the early stages and throughout the development process of new friction materials. For this purpose, detailed insights into the friction behavior is obtained by high precision tribotesters under laboratory conditions. Especially in the low sliding speed range, specialized machines such as the Variable Velocity Tribotester (VVT) make it possible to mimic real world phenomena under controlled conditions, e.g. creep groan or COF in low temperatures. The VVT is modularly designed with two linear stages to move the test specimen and a highly capable servor motor for the rotation of the brake disc. A rotational disk speed of up to 400 rpm is reached with a resolution of 25 bit and a 1:10 gearbox. The normal load can reach up to 300 N (approx. 45 bar brake line pressure) by utilizing a leaf spring load unit. A 3-axis piezoelectric force sensor directly at the test specimen measures the applied and resulting forces.In addition to the friction testing, it is possible to automatically move the specimen to a high precision 3D laser scanning device with stripe light projection and to record height information and pictures of the friction surface. For measurements below room temperature, the VVT is located in an insulated chamber and equipped with two cooling aggregates