Tribometers: The Fuel Behind the Automotive Industry

It may not capture the attention of the average motorist, but friction has a huge impact on the automotive industry—and even on the entire U.S. economy. Quality Magazine once reported that between the direct and consequential economic loss associated with friction and wear, this loss amounts to as much as 1 to 2 percent of the country’s entire annual GDP. 

In the automotive industry, friction is both a positive and negative factor. Some level of friction is required for proper and safe mechanical function, but Quality Magazine also shares that too much friction results in lost energy and limited fuel efficiency. In some cases, the wear caused by friction in auto components can eventually be dangerous. 

It’s estimated that approximately 10 percent of energy consumption in an automotive vehicle is due to friction. Reducing this level of friction through the thoughtful, precise engineering of materials and surfaces of each component can improve fuel efficiency by an astonishing 3 to 5 percent. 

Tribometers are an indispensable instrument within the automotive industry. They are the secret to faster engines, better fuel efficiency, improved performance, and safer vehicles. Here’s how friction affects each component that goes into an automobile, how tribometers impact the work of the automotive industry, and how Kett makes it all possible.  

Friction Testing in the Automotive Industry

As shared in Tech Briefs, “Very few industries are as affected by strict test standards as the automotive sector,” continuing to say that almost every component of each automobile goes through extensive testing, from the engine parts to the accelerators, as well as clutches, brakes, tires, seatbelts, and more. Each of these elements is tested for its tribological properties to meet standards across the globe. 

For example, parts like crankshafts and camshafts must meet specific requirements and hold up to proper functioning under a broad range of service conditions. They undergo testing at every level—their base materials, heat-treated parts, surface coatings, and even the lubricants used must all be evaluated for friction and wear. What’s more, these tests are run with a diverse array of loads, velocities, lubricants, liquids, and temperatures to mimic the service conditions these parts may experience in the real world.

Other components of automobiles go through the same level of rigorous testing, including door handles and locking mechanisms, which are also tested as based materials, at different heat treatments, and are evaluated for their surface coatings and lubricants as well.

The Southwest Research Institute is one such location that tests the coefficient of friction for parts used in the auto industry. As they shared, “An engine consists of numerous moving parts that experience friction due to several factors including improper lubrication, material compatibility, and environmental changes.”

According to the Institute, an increase in friction can do significant damage to components, affect gas mileage, or impact safety. Testing is a crucial way to measure the friction of the engine and the other automotive components for safety and to continue to improve the performance and lifespan of each component. 

Tribometers and friction testing can help automotive manufacturers quantify friction and investigate how different materials, components, lubricants, and lubricant additives affect the performance of the vehicle. 

The Role Tribometers Play

In addition to testing each component, tribometers are used in the basic, foundational elements of making a new automobile. For example, tribometers are used in metal forming processes to test the stress and friction that goes into manufacturing the metal parts that make up the automobile. 

At Kett, we’re committed to providing our customers with the very best instruments available to provide fast, precise, repeatable test results no matter where they are. Through the use of instruments like the Heidon H94Ai Handheld Portable Friction Tester and the Heidon H37 3D Muse Tribometer, automakers and automotive engineers can count on accurate friction testing for quality performance, efficiency, and safety. What can these tribometers do?

• The Heidon H94Ai Handheld Portable Friction Tester provides reliable, and precise friction testing results in the field in under 10 seconds. Research and development teams can use this instrument to evaluate not just test panels but finished products and coating formulations for a complete friction assessment.
• The Heidon H37 3D Muse Tribometer is the world’s only 3-dimensional tribometer, which means it can test static friction in any direction on the most surfaces in less than 10 seconds.  This capability is ideal for the production line or in laboratory environments. Like the H94Ai model, the H37 Tribometer can evaluate test panels, finished products, and coatings and can be used on the production lines for more efficient testing, improved quality output, and better production throughput. 

But these aren’t the only available solutions to test friction and wear for the automotive industry. Kett offers an entire line of surface testing tribometers and tribogear, so to discover which instruments are right for your work, connect with our team of experts today.