A Pin-on-Disk Tribometer for Friction and Lubricating Performance in mm-Scale

Abstract

A pin-on-disk tribometer for micro-scale applications is presented in this paper. The tribometer consists of a stationary mm-scale pin and a rotating disk. Friction and lubrication film thickness are measured by a laser position detector and a laser displacement sensor. Using this tribometer, hydrodynamic tests have been carried out with the specimens fully submerged in a lubricant. Results suggest that the sliding motion in the mm-scale operates with a direct contact at low speed, and in the hydrodynamic regime at a higher speed. When the sliding reaches the critical speed, the lubricant film is established, and the thickness of the film stabilizes and the friction increases with the sliding speed. The tribometer shows good repeatability in these tests.