Tribological Equipment
All tribological equipment designed and manufactured by Simultek is designed to work in a vacuum (vacuum-compatible). Depending on the specific requirements, Simultek manufactures various vacuum chambers that can accommodate this tribological equipment in vacuum conditions. In this case, an oil-free pumping system is used, providing a pressure in the vacuum chamber from 10-5 to 10-7 Torr. Test rigs: Bearing rotation stations, fretting fatigue rigs, Vacuum Tribometer for abrasion and wear testing per ASTM G65 (Stationary, Rotary, and SWAT configurations) Abrasion and wear testing: Per ASTM G65 (to simulate sliding abrasion conditions under vacuum using dust particles introduced between a rubber wheel and a block coupon of the material being evaluated.
The laboratory prototype of thefretting fatigue apparatus
The fretting and fretting fatigue set-up is a unique instrument to evaluate the performance of materials and coatings in conditions that could imitate terrestrial and space environments. The fretting fatigue system has been used in a testing program of fretting fatigue of titanium and aluminum samples in a vacuum environment with different coatings.
The fretting rig loading to produce normal loads on the specimen is controlled by a load cell. The fatigue rig can be mounted inside an evacuated chamber or as a table mount and is capable to work in vacuum and/or gas environments. The system can be remotely powered, with accessible port connections to monitor strain gages mounted on the specimen, as well as other sensors.
The loading system provides tensile pre-loads and peak loads of about 9 kN and cycle at ~ 2-100 Hz. Sample cooling and heating, as well as the programmable thermal cycling, within the range of -100°C / +250°C can be provided.
Features:
The loading system operates using a number of piezoelectric actuators that produce a small displacement with a high force capability when voltage is applied. The piezoelectric actuators are assembled by stacking up piezoelectric disks or plates, with the axis of the stack being parallel to the induced linear motion. The system is powered by a custom designed computer-controlled power supply (800 V, 2-10 Hz, variable) that is offered as a part of the facility. A separate rack for mounting the support electronics can be offered as an option. The facility is equipped with an original method of continuous control of tensile stress and precise failure detection (stress measurements, acoustic emission diagnostic system).
• Configurations: Stationary, Rotary, SWAT (per ASTM G65, for abrasion and wear testing) • Variable computer-controlled speed: 10-500 rpm • Applied force range: 1-100 N • Analytical equipment: Piezoelectric torque transducer, load cell, charge sensor, surface inspection tools • High vacuum conditions (basic vacuum): ≤ 10-8Torr (≤ 10-6Pa) in a clean Lunar Dust Simulator Chamber without dust simulant and without samples • Wide temperature range: from -150°C to +150°C • Dust-proof design, i.e. the Tribometer can operate under the presence of electrically charged dust simulant particles constantly flowing in the Lunar Dust Simulator Chamber under vacuum conditions
Simultek produces a number of Testing Rigs designed for a different number of bearings. Commonly the pairs of different bearings are used. The number of pairs is reflected in the specification of the model of the Testing Rig. For example (SimulTek VBTR-2) means that this rig is designed for two pairs of bearings. At the request of the customer, a cooling and heating system for the tested bearings is installed. Features: • Number of tested bearing 1-10 pairs • Diameter of tested bearings 10mm – 150mm • Permissible vacuum conditions 10-8Torr. • Real vacuum conditions 5×10-7Torr. • Maximum heating temperature of tested bearings 400°C • Maximum cooling temperature of tested bearings -60°C