Taber Oscillating Abrasion Tester
The Taber Oscillating Abrasion (Sand) Tester is used to determine the abrasion resistance of transparent plastics and transparent coatings. Described in ASTM International test method F735 (Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Transparent Plastics and Coatings Using the Oscillating Sand Method), the purpose of this test is to provide a means of determining the relative abrasion resistance of plastics or coatings to cleaning, and other rubbing action that might cause abrasion.
Using a haze meter, the haze and light transmission of a transparent test specimen is first measured and recorded. The specimen is then mounted in the bottom of a tray and covered with abrading media (such as quartz silica). The tray is affixed to a motorized drive mechanism, which reciprocates in a back-and-forth (to-and-fro) motion over a distance of 100mm at a speed of 300 strokes per minute. Inertia causes the entire mass of the abrasive media to shift significantly within the tray, resulting in abrasion of the specimen. A scotch-yoke drive system allows an even distribution of movement centered on the tray, so the average pressure also remains constant. This provides consistent results over the entire surface of the test specimen. After exposure to abrasion, the results are measured as a change in haze and light transmission.
The most common use of this instrument is to determine the abrasion resistance of transparent materials and coatings utilized in windows, viewing ports, enclosures, covers, lenses or other products. The Oscillating Abrasion (Sand) tester can also be used to evaluate opaque specimens such as organic coatings, plastics, metals, plus others. Abrasion resistance for opaque materials is measured visually or by weight loss.
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