Tribology laboratory
Overview
The Tribology and Materials Testing Research Laboratory is a laboratory of the TALTECH Institute of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, which focuses on testing materials under tribological conditions that occur in most real-world work environments. The laboratory serves both research projects, business collaborations, and student development projects.
Equipment and facilities
The conditions under which testing can be performed include:
- sliding (with or without lubrication at room or elevated temperatures),
- abrasive (different loads, speeds, abrasive, etc.),
- erosive wear (dry or wet, different abrasive concentrations, room or elevated temperatures, etc.),
- scratching tests, and combined processes (such as tribocorrosion or impact abrasion).
For companies, we modify existing or create new test methods, imitating real-world conditions. Thanks to precise low-load sensors (load and position resolution of 0.5 mN and 1 µm, respectively), the laboratory can perform mechanical tests (compression, tensile, bending, scratches, etc.) on small test specimens or soft materials (such as paper, sponge, etc.). Minimal wear can be measured thanks to a 3D optical profilometer (accuracy up to 0.01 nm). The laboratory helps to find the most suitable material for your company.
Main areas of activity
The results of wear tests can be used as input for the continuous product development cycle necessary to improve existing materials or products. The availability of modern research and production equipment and modeling software allows for the development, production and testing of new innovative materials in close cooperation with other laboratories of the institute. We actively participate in research projects and student supervision.
Cooperation and projects
The laboratory cooperates with both Estonian and international clients. We have contacts with other testing laboratories around the world and can help find a suitable location for testing. We participate in high-level Estonian and European research projects aimed at increasing the lifespan of key components that affect equipment reliability and worker safety (see e.g. www.nettun.org).
Team and contact
Contact: Maksim Antonov
Email: Maksim.Antonov@taltech.ee
Phone: +372 55571072
Extended website: www.taltech.ee/en/tribo
Contact us for visits and cooperation!