Material & Surface Characterisation
Scanning electron microscope JIB4700F
Scanning electron microscopy SEMFocus ion beam FIBelectron backscatter diffraction EBSDEnergy dispersive X-ray spectra EDS
Electrons are accelerated on the samples surface utilising field emission and interact with the material. Depending on the detectors, either the surface topography (secondary electrons) or the materials contrast (backscatter electrons) can be visualised. The created X-rays can be measured via energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and quantifies the samples chemical composition. Backscatter diffraction electrons can be detected in form of diffraction patterns, which indicates the crystallographic habit of present materials phases and their deformation state.
Detection and quantifiaction of surfaces regarding their chemical compositions and/or their surface condiions, e.g. wear characterisation, tribolayer formation, fracture surface analysis, etc. Quantification of tribologically induced deformations and materials changes in metallographical cross sections via EBSD.
High resolution microscopy for enhanced samples analysis (SEM)Detection of the chemical composition of samples (EDS)Clarification of type, distribution, composition and state of materials phases (EBSD)
SEM:Field emissionAcceleration voltage 0.1 – 30 kVProbe current 1 pA – 300 nAmagnification 20x-1.000000xFIB: Acceleration voltage 1-30kVProbe current 1pA – 90nAmagnification 100x-300.000x
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PREMAUER Markus
ROJACZ Harald
Scanning electron microscope JSM IT500
Scanning electron microscopy SEMEnergy dispersive X-ray spectra EDSElectron backscatter diffraction EBSD
Electrons are accelerated on the samples surface utilising a tungsten cathode and interact with the material. Depending on the detectors, either the surface topography (secondary electrons) or the materials contrast (backscatter electrons) can be visualised. The created X-rays can be measured via energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and quantifies the samples chemical composition. Backscatter diffraction electrons can be detected in form of diffraction patterns, which indicates the crystallographic habit of present materials phases and their deformation state.
Detection and quantifiaction of surfaces regarding their chemical compositions and/or their surface condiions, e.g. wear characterisation, tribolayer formation, fracture surface analysis, etc. Quantification of tribologically induced deformations and materials changes in metallographical cross sections via EBSD.
High resolution microscopy for enhanced samples analysis (SEM)Detection of the chemical composition of samples (EDS)Clarification of type, distribution, composition and state of materials phases (EBSD)
Tungsten filament, fully automatic gun alignementAcceleration voltage 0.3 – 30 kVProbe current 1 pA – 1 µAVacuum conditions 10 – 650 Pa
Max. sample specs ø200mm
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PREMAUER Markus
ROJACZ Harald
Dual core confocal and interferometric microscope
non-contact 3D-charactarisation of surfaces, wear volume and roughness parameters
confocal: for each measurement position the measuring head vertically scans the sample and records the confocal intensity as a function of scan position; from the matrix of vertical sections a 3-dimensional image of the surface is created; interferometric: Mirau-type lenses feature an internal mirror for splitting up the primary beam through superposition of primary and secondary beam, an interference signal is created as a function of the point-wise surface height
statistical surface parameters, e.g., roughness, profile, waviness, wear volume 2- and-3 dimensional visualisation of the data
analyses of technical surfaces with accuracy in the micrometre range
confocal objectives: 10x (1270×950 µm), 20x (636×477 µm), 50x (254×190 µm), 100x (127×95 µm); interferometric objectives type Mirau: 10x, 50x; stitching available, vertical resolution down to single-digit nanometre-range
Contact
KHMELEVSKA Tetyana
Focus variation microscope
non-contact 3D-charactarisation of surfaces, wear volume and roughness parameters
for each pixel a sharpness value is calculated via a comparison of the contrast with its nearest neighbours; the measuring head vertically scans the sample and records the pixel-sharpness as a function of scan position; from the location of the maxima a three dimensional image of the surface is created
statistical surface parameters, e.g., standardised roughness parameters, waviness, wear volume and 2- and 3- dimensional visualisation of the data
analyses of technical surfaces with accuracy in the micrometre range
lenses: 5x (2.82×2.82 mm), 10x (1.62×1.62 mm); stitching possible; low measurement times (flat surface: 5 cm² within approx. 15 min); vertical resolution in the high nanometre range
non-transparent roughness: Ra > 500 nm; specimen dimensions: < 200x200x200 mm; weight: < 30 kg
Contact
KHMELEVSKA Tetyana
Artec Leo, 3D scanner
3D scanner for mobile use
Detection of three-dimensional objects by means of structured light
The structured-light-scanner captures the dimensions of an object and creates a digitzed 3D model
Scanner type: Hand-held
3D point accuracy: 0.1 mm
3D resolution: 0.2 mm
3D accuracy over distance: 0.1+0.3 mm/m
Working distance: 0.35-1.2 m
3D reconstruction rate: 44 fps (video recording) 80 fps (video streaming)
Data acquisition rate: 35 million points/sec
Interface: Wifi, Ethernet, SD card
Hard disk: 256 GB SSD
No reflective surfaces
Contact
TATZGERN Fabio
3D profilometer (confocal chromatic sensor)
non-contact 3D-charactarisation of surfaces and roughness parameters; portable and useable in industrial surroundings
white light is split by a group of lenses into different spectra and sent on the sample; depending on the distance of the lenses to the sample one spectrum is in focal distance (use of chromatic aberration); the sensor measures the spectra and calculates the sample distance by using the maximum of the wavelength dependant intensity distribution; by line wise and column wise scanning of the sample, a three dimensional image of the surface is created
statistical surface parameters, e.g., standardised roughness parameters, waviness, wear volume and 2- and 3- dimensional visualisation of the data
analyses of technical surfaces with accuracy in the nanometre range; measuring of the thickness of a transparent layer
sensors: OP1 (measuring range: 3.0 mm, vertical resolution: 40 nm) and OP2 (measuring range: 300 µm, vertical resolution: 5.7 nm); weight: 5.5 kg; dimensions: 20x30x17 cm³; xy-travel range: 25 mm
reflectivity
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STOIBER Ulrich
Incident light microscope
microscopic investigation of test samples (25x – 1000x magnification)
optical microscope with digital imaging and xyz-table
display of 2-dimensional structures such as coatings and microstructure
characterisation of material and material structure; analysis of wear zone (topography- and phase-dissolved) as well as microstructure; documentation of cracks and pores
magnification: 25 – 1000x; dark- and bright-field; polarisation filter; interference filter; motorised xyz-table
high: < 6 cm; flat surface or embedded; weight: < 500 g
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PREMAUER Markus
Stereo microscope
three dimensional visualization of the sample
optical microscope with digital imaging
display of three-dimensional structures such as worn surfaces of components and fracture surfaces
identification of surface defects, cracks, origin of fracture; first evaluation of wear tracks
magnification 7 – 115x
wide range of working distance enables large variety of sample sizes and sample geometries
Contact
PREMAUER Markus
Tribo-/Nanoindenter
instrumented analysis of mechanical properties at small loads
hardness, elastic modulus and viscoelastic properties can be determined at minimum load [µN – mN]; scratch testing, friction measurements, SPM
mechanical properties like hardness, elastic modulus, stiffness, friction and wear behaviour, viscoelastic properties
mechanical characterisation of materials, precipitations and (thin) layers
test load: 1 µN – 10 mN; vertical resolution < 1 nm; lateral resolution SPM: 100 nm
to be discussed
Contact
ROJACZ Harald
Scratch-tester
investigation on coating adhesion and coating fatigue; grooving behaviour of materials
an indenter is moved over a surface under loading, scratch forces and acoustic emissions are measured and correlated with wear behaviour
determination of coating adhesion and fatigue; ploughing and scratch behaviour of materials; determination of critical scratch energies
characterisation of surface against scratch; determination of coating adhesion
normal load: 10 – 100 N; variable velocities: 1 mm/s – 50 mm/s; flexible loading ramps; reversible scratches for fatigue testing are possible; Rockwell indenter: 50 µm – 200 µm; steel ball indenter: 1.587 mm
specimen dimensions: < 40×100 mm; height: < 15 mm; testing surface plane parallel and fine ground or polished
Contact
PREMAUER Markus
High Temperature Hardness and Scratch Test Rig
measurement of hardness (HV, HB) and performing scratch tests up to 1000 °C; hardness measurement at the temperature of application
hardness test according Vickers with 2 – 50 kg normal load; scratch test at 10 – 500 N normal load; sliding velocity between 1mm/min – 10 mm/s; exchanegable indenters; user specific material combinations are possible; sample heating up to 1000 °C; automated measurement of hardness-temperature curves or series of scratches
hardness at applications temperature of the material as a parameter for wear properties; scratch tests give an information on the wear resistance under specific loading conditions (load/velocity/temperature)
hardness and scratch detection; determination of critical application temperatures and mechanical stress parameters of a material
high temperature testing under vacuum; test temperature: RT – 1000 °C; test load: 10 – 500 N; sliding velocity: 1 mm/min – 10 mm/s; atmosphere: ambient, vacuum (5 mbar)
specimen dimensions: 68 x 30 x10 mm plane parallel; surface polished (hardness measurements); ground (scratch tests)
Contact
VARGA Markus
Micro hardness tester
measurement of micro-hardness with 1 – 1000 g test load
Vickers hardness test
hardness determination of specific microstructure components, hardness profile
hardness detection (major mechanical material parameter influencing the tribological behaviour)
test load: 1 – 1000 g
surface must be plane and polished
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PREMAUER Markus
Macro hardness tester
measurement of hardness with 1 – 50 kg test load
Vickers, Brinell or Rockwell hardness test
hardness as parameter of how resistant solid matter is to various kinds of permanent shape change when a force is applied
hardness detection (major mechanical material parameter influencing the tribological behaviour)
test load: 1 – 50 kg
surface must be plane and ground to a fine finish
Contact
PREMAUER Markus
Permeability measurement device 3
investigations of the permeability of porous materials (medium: compressed air)
for characterisation of the open porosity pressured air is pressed through the porous structure of the specimen (e.g. friction disc, bushing); in case of a compressible specimen, the force-dependent decrease in thickness is determined; the automated measurement process enables a high number of measuring points
Contact
LEBERSORGER Thomas
Continuous impact abrasion test
investigation of impact/abrasion behaviour, especially of high loaded edges
specimens are mounted on a rotating impeller and hitting in a continuous abrasive flow resulting in impact/abrasion especially on specimens edges
wear resistance against impact/abrasion wear; investigation of edge stability
evaluation of the wear resistance of materials
Impeller rotational frequency: 0 – 600 rpm (continuously variable); tumbler rotational frequency: 60 rpm; abrasive: e.g. quartz sand, corundum, steel balls; variable particle size and abrasive material
specimen size: 25×75 mm, thickness: 6 mm, requirement on surface quality: fine grinded
Contact
KATSICH Christian
High temperature impact abrasion tester
investigation of high temperature impact/abrasion behaviour up to 700 °C
specimens are exposed to cyclic impact and abrasion in a heated test chamber; to investigate 3-body abrasion abrasive can be feed in the wear zone
wear resistance at impact/abrasiv environment at high temperatures; especially to find critical application temperatures for the material
evaluation of the wear resistance of materials at high temperatures
temperature: ambient – 700 °C; impact energies 0.2 – 1.5 J; abrasive feed possible
specimen size: 25x20x5 mm, plane parallel, requirement on surface quality: fine grinded
Contact
KATSICH Christian
Single impact tester
investigation of impact resistance against severe single impact
a weight with an impact body falls from a defined height on the specimen and creates an impact mark
wear resistance against severe single impact, investigation on critical impact energies
wear resistance against severe single impact; investigation on critical impact energy
Impact energy: 0.5 – 20 J; inductive sample heating
specimen size: 25×75 mm, specimen thickness > 5 mm, plane parallel, defined testing edge
Contact
MOLNAR Wolfgang
High temperature corrosion tester
corrosion behaviour of materials in range of room to high temperature influenced by pure gases and gas mixtures
gases and gas mixtures passes the specimen by variation of gas concentration and temperature
simulation of corrosive load spectrums on materials and coatings
determination of corrosion rates; corrosion behaviour of materials and coatings as a function of composition and production process at high temperature
temperature range: < 1500 °C; low vacuum – ambient pressure; continuous or pulsed gas flow; programmable gas control; inert, flammable and toxic gases; carrier gas: synthetic air, O2, N2, CO2; gas mixtures: HCl, SO2, NO2, CO2
specimen size: < 15x20x40 mm
Contact
VARGA Markus
Light scattering system
non-contact characterisation of surfaces
during the measurement, an LED light source projects a tight spot of light of approximately 1 mm² onto the surface; the distribution of the back-scattered light directly depends on the topography of the surface
form, waviness and roughness of tribological surfaces
quality control and process monitoring for surface finishing processes
measuring spot diameter: 0.9 mm (0.3 mm on request); measurement speed: < 2000 m/s; insensitive to working distance (+/- 1 mm)
reflectivity
Contact
JECH Martin
Infrared camera
Flexibly configurable thermal imaging camera with high thermal and geometric sensitivity and for non-contact temperature measurement; especially for basic research and for industrial issues.
multispectral infrared (IR) radiation analysis (short wave or long wave IR region) of the test object
heat disspation and propagation in tribological contacts
temperature range: 0 – 2500 °C; recording speed (full frame): < 100 frames/second
working distance: > 14 cm; lateral frame size: 2 x 2.5 cm (up to infinite)
Contact
GRUNDTNER Reinhard
WIDDER Florian
Particle sizing
determination of the size of metallic particles in lubricants, aqueous solutions, and emulsions
detection of particles by dark field visualization and sizing based on tracking of Brownian motion
particle load in liquid samples; amount of wear in lubricants; aggregation/sedimentation behaviour; emulsion stability
measuring the particle size/concentration in liquid samples, e.g. wear particles in engine oil or metal working fluids
detection range: approx. 100 nm – 5 µm for most metal particles; > 300 nm for weakly scattering materials (polymers, biological species)
liquid sample of known temperature dependant viscosity; sample amount typically 0.1-1 mL
Contact
JECH Martin
ZELLHOFER Manuel
Diode laser device
laser cladding for protection against corrosion and wear
direct diode laser cladding is used for deposition of metallic powders, whereas conduct of process for high quality and high deposition rates are necessary
laser cladding of metallic based powder composites
validation and optimisation of high power laser systems for tribological claddings
direct diode laser system 10 kW; powder feeder; co-axial feeding system; nozzle width < 24 mm; 6-axis manipulation unit; load capacity 60 kg; positioning unit for turning specimen with load capacity up to 200 kg
specimen dimensions: < 1000×750 mm, height < 500 mm, specimen weight < 200 kg
Contact
KATSICH Christian
Grinding and polishing machine
materialographic sample preparation
the samples can be ground with grain sizes of 80 to 4000 and subsequently polished with polishing cloths to different levels form 12 µm to 0.25 µm
preparation of specimens
fully automatic and manual sample preparation
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PREMAUER Markus
