Friction Testing
Friction Testing
Understanding friction, particularly in elastomer systems, is intricate due to their non-linear behavior. Friction involves multiple variables beyond just the material itself, including counter materials, pressure, and temperature. At LUC, we’re committed to unraveling these complexities.
To achieve this, we’ve invested in both full-scale and lab-scale friction testing. Our full-scale testing provides real-world insights, while our lab-scale friction tester, operational since 2006, allows us to delve deep into the fundamental mechanisms. Through these efforts, we’ve amassed valuable data and established models to advance our understanding of friction in elastomers.
From the industry there is an increasing demand not only for friction models to determine suitable materials, but also for full scale testing. Therefore LUC has built a full scale friction tester.
With full scale testing, using actual tensioner or other friction pads under realistic load conditions, new possibilities will arise:
- Improving and extending friction models with more realistic and extended ranges of data. This will enable LUC not only to make more accurate recommendations but also to develop new and improve existing materials.
- Carry out qualification tests before the start of a specific project.
- Facilitate development of new equipment, with the ability to test pads before the actual equipment has been built or a full series of pads has been manufactured.
- Quality control and certification of parts before these are supplied to the customer.
Full scale friction testing for offshore energy applications
Projects
Oil & Gas: Pipe and umbilical laying
Renewables: Seafastening for monopile shipping
Test modes
Static coefficient of friction
Dynamic coefficient of friction
Creep / micro slippage
Parameters
Operation in 2- or 4-track mode
Maximum pad dimensions 420 x 500 mm
Pipe diameter 6” – 24” (150 mm – 650 mm)
Pipe/cable length 850 – 900 mm
Maximum displacement 80 -130 mm
Squeeze load 10 – 600 kN/pad
Pull load 40 – 600 kN
Temperature range 15-30°C
Wet and dry conditions
Principle
The friction test rig is equipped with four horizontally- and four vertically aligned cylinders. The horizontal cylinders apply a squeeze load on the pads, the vertical cylinders apply a pull load on the pipe.
Lab Scale Friction Testing
The lab scale friction tester can be utilized for a number of purposes:
- Acquiring R&D data, for the development of new high or low friction materials.
- Facilitate design & engineering of new equipment, providing a quick and easy way to generate data for a specific system, and evaluate the impact of some parameter changes.
- Qualification testing.
Lab scale friction testing for various applications
Projects
Oil & Gas: tensioner pads for pipe and umbilical laying
Renewables: friction pads and bearing blocks for seafastening of monopiles, tensioner pads for cable laying
Steel & Aluminium rolling mills: rollers in bridle and steering units
Amusement industry: drive and booster wheels
Test modes
Dynamic friction with constant speed
Parameters
Stroke length 100mm
Speed 10 mm/s
Number of cycles 10
Maximum contact pressure …
Sample pre-treatment cleaned with acetone, conditioned at 23°C
Test temperature 23°C
Wet and dry conditions
Principle
A certain load is applied on a PU sample pressed against a counter material, the normal force. After the load is applied, the PU sample will move along the counter material with a fixed speed and distance. The required force to move the sample, the tangential force, is measured by a load cell. The coefficient of friction is defined as the ratio between tangential and normal force.
