Toll Testing
Surface Machine Systems, LLC is now offering toll testing services to labs and research facilities interested in scratch and mar testing. We provide basic scratch and mar tests, analytic tests, and customized tests. Our tests are a great way to get introduced to the possibilities of scratch and mar, and the capabilities and features of the Scratch 4 Machine.
Types of Testing
A basic scratch or mar test is a constant-velocity, rising load test on a flat, smooth sample plaque. The standard parameters are as follows.
| Stylus |
1mm stainless steel ball (ASTM D7027-05) |
Length |
100mm |
Velocity |
100mm/s |
Load |
1N to 50N constant increasing load rate |
Data Collection |
1000 points per second |
A 50N load is sufficient to produce Onset of Scratch Visibility and Critical Load values in most polymers with mechanical characteristics similar to polypropylene. Significantly harder or softer materials may require some adjustment to the test. If you are unsure what load and velocity to use, we can help; just ask us when you engage in testing. When setting normal load, we recommend you target a normal load which exceeds the onset of scratch phonemena by at least 20%.
The Scratch 4 Machine has a versatile range. The Scratch Parameters available for testing are as follows:
| Stylus |
1mm ball, 5mm ball, 10mm ball, 20mm Mar (other stylus can be designed on a per-request basis) |
Length |
1mm to 450mm |
Velocity |
1mm/s* to 400mm/s |
Load |
1N to 225N |
*Data collection has a 15ms lead-in and lead-out oscillation period. Tests should are recommended to be at least 60ms in duration.
Tests
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