Key Application Areas
Textiles and Leather: Surface wear resistance of fabrics, garments, and leather goods (e.g., sofas, shoes), and color fastness (whether color transfers after rubbing);
Printing and Packaging: Ink rub resistance on packaging paper, labels, and carton surfaces (e.g., whether print rubs off shipping boxes after friction);
Coatings and Platings: Wear resistance of paint and electroplated coatings on metal and plastic surfaces (e.g., automotive paint finishes, appliance housings);
Electronics and Consumer Goods: Scratch resistance and wear resistance of mobile phone screens, keyboards, and plastic components (e.g., remote control housings);
Building Materials and Industrial Materials: Surface wear resistance of flooring (ceramic tiles, hardwood floors), pipes, and mechanical parts.
Common Test Methods and Standards
1. Reciprocating Abrasion Test (Simulating Reciprocating Friction Scenarios)
Principle: A specified friction medium (e.g., cotton cloth, wool, steel wool) is applied to the sample surface under a fixed load, rubbing back and forth at a constant speed. Surface changes (e.g., color fading, wear) are observed, or the number of cycles to failure (e.g., coating delamination) is recorded.
Applicable Scenarios: Textile color fastness, ink rub resistance of printed materials, coating surface wear resistance, etc.
Standards:
Textiles: GB/T 3920 (Textiles -- Tests for colour fastness -- Colour fastness to rubbing), ISO 105-X12 (international equivalent of GB/T 3920);
Printed materials: GB/T 7706 (Rub resistance of letterpress prints), ASTM D5264 (Standard practice for abrasion resistance of printed materials).
2. Rotary Abrasion Test (Simulating Continuous Rotational Wear)
Principle: A rotating friction wheel (e.g., abrasive wheel, rubber wheel) or the specimen itself is rotated under a fixed load for continuous abrasion. Wear resistance is evaluated through weight loss, wear volume, or wear index.
Typical Equipment: Taber Abraser (most commonly used), RCA Abrader (suitable for films and coatings).
Applicable Scenarios: Rigid materials such as plastics, metals, flooring, and electronic display screens.
Standards:
Taber abrasion: ASTM D4060 (Standard test method for abrasion resistance of organic coatings by the Taber abraser), ISO 9352 (Plastics -- Determination of resistance to wear by abrasive wheels);
RCA abrasion: ASTM F2357 (Standard test method for determining the abrasion resistance of inks and coatings on membrane switches using the Norman Tool RCA abrader).
3. Scratch Test (Evaluating Scratch Resistance)
Principle: A sharp stylus (e.g., steel needle) or abrasive wheel applies pressure to the sample surface and moves across it at a constant speed. The surface is then inspected for scratches, cracking, or coating delamination.
Applicable Scenarios: Automotive paint finishes, mobile phone screens, plastic housings, etc.
Standards: GB/T 9279 (Paints and varnishes -- Determination of scratch resistance), ASTM D3359 (Standard test methods for rating adhesion by tape test).
Key Test Parameters
Friction Medium: Cotton cloth (simulating soft friction), steel wool (simulating hard friction), abrasive wheels (simulating rough surface friction), etc.;
Applied Load: Typically 500 g to 2000 g (e.g., 500 g is commonly used for textile color fastness; rigid materials may require 1000 g or higher);
Rubbing Speed / Frequency: Reciprocating: typically 30 to 60 cycles per minute; rotary: typically 60 to 100 revolutions per minute;
Evaluation Metrics:
Visual appearance: presence of paint loss, substrate exposure, scratches, or color fading;
Quantitative metrics: mass loss (mg), number of rubbing cycles (e.g., "no visible wear after 500 cycles"), color fastness rating (grade 1 to 5, with 5 being the best).
Significance of Testing
Ensure products are "durable" in daily use (e.g., phone screens resistant to scratches, garments that do not fade after washing);
Help enterprises comply with industry standards or customer requirements (e.g., exported products must meet international standards such as ISO and ASTM);
Optimize material formulations (e.g., adjusting coating thickness or ink composition based on test results to enhance wear resistance).