Lubricants
What is it?
This test machine is designed for evaluating wear resistance and/or extreme pressure properties under sliding motion. The resistant force (torque) is also obtained on this test machine to characterise test material performance properties, which can include lubricants, performance additives and materials of construction.
Why do we use it?
This machine is widely used by many lubricant formulators, mainly to demonstrate wear and extreme pressure performance. The ASTM standards tests are well known in the industry and used as a reference by many lubricant formulators.
How does it work?
The Pin and vee block tests consist of 2 stationary vee blocks loaded against a rotating journal, all of which are immersed in the test lubricant.
To determine wear, a load is applied for a set time. As the pin wears, the load applied is maintained by advancing the ratchet mechanism. The wear performance is characterised by the number of teeth advanced while conducting the test; the fewer teeth advanced the better the wear performance of the test fluid.
Extreme pressure properties are evaluated by increasing the test load up to the point where a failure occurs. Failure is defined as the breaking of either the brass shear pin or the test pin, or the inability to maintain or increase the test load.
The higher the failure load the better the extreme pressure properties of the test fluid.
Typical Test Conditions
Parameter : Value
- Temperature : Ambient - 150ºC
- Speed : 290+/- 10rpm (60-3600rpm)
- Direct load : 0 to 3.000 Lb
- Rotation : 0 - 2000rpm
The Falex machine can be set up to run the following standard industry tests; ASTM D2670, ASTM D3233, ASTM D2625, and ASTM D5620.