Abrasion & Wear Testing

We offer comprehensive abrasion and wear testing methods to evaluate your materials' resistance to deterioration under friction:

• Pin abrasion testing with perpendicular positioning against abrasive surfaces
• Rubber wheel abrasion using controlled grit sand between specimen and wheel
• Taber abrasion with dual rotating wheels for flat specimens
• Falling sand abrasion for organic coating evaluation
• RCA abrasion for membrane switches and interface materials
• Pin-on-disk wear testing with temperature and fluid exposure options

Our testing capabilities cover metals, composites, ceramics, and specialized coatings, including thick weld overlays and thermal spray coatings. We evaluate materials for both industrial applications and medical devices, delivering precise wear resistance data that helps you make informed decisions about material selection and predict product lifetime.

Our testing programs are configured to match your specific operating conditions, including temperature variations and fluid exposure. We deliver reproducible data that ranks materials in order of merit under your exact usage conditions. Each method is selected and customized to provide the most relevant data for your application environment. Element’s material testing engineers perform fast, repeatable testing to help you predictively rank your materials.

Abrasion test methods:

• Pin abrasion (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.
• Rubber wheel abrasion (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.
• Taber abrasion (ASTM D1044, ASTM D4060, and others) 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.
• Falling sand abrasion (ASTM D968) is used to determine the resistance of organic coatings to falling sand. The coatings are typically applied to a plane rigid surface, like glass or metal, before testing.
• RCA abrasion (ASTM F2357) is performed using a Norman Tool Machine. Inks and coatings on printed membrane switches are affected by repeated abrasive forces, most commonly by a human finger. Other conditions that contribute to visible wear include cleaning, wiping, rubbing, shipping, storage, and accidental damage.

Wear test methods:

A customized wear testing program can be tailored to replicate real operating conditions, such as temperature, fluids, and wear direction. Element’s advanced laboratories and equipment provide wear testing data that closely reflects specific work environments.

• Medical device wear testing is used to evaluate the tribological properties of devices by simulating the movements and forces of the human body in a setting that mirrors real-world use. Commonly tested devices include hip, knee, and spinal implants.
• Pin-on-disk wear testing (ASTM G99, ASTM G133, ASTM F732) involves rubbing two materials—one shaped into a pin and the other into a disk—to measure properties like wear rates and frictional force. This test can be conducted at elevated temperatures or in submerged conditions to better simulate real-life wear scenarios.

Our state-of-the-art laboratories feature specialized testing equipment including Norman Tool Machines for RCA testing, pin-on-disk wear testing apparatus, and medical device wear simulators. All equipment is calibrated and maintained to deliver precise, reproducible results under carefully controlled conditions that mirror real-world usage scenarios.

We specialize in characterizing tribological properties of medical devices by simulating human body kinematics and kinetics. Our comprehensive testing program evaluates hip, knee, and spinal devices under conditions that precisely mirror intended use, helping validate performance and support regulatory compliance. We analyze wear patterns and material behavior in environments that replicate actual usage conditions.