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Category: Profilometry | Texture and Grain

 

Shot Peened Surface Analysis

SHOT PEENED SURFACE ANALYSIS

USING 3D NON-CONTACT PROFILOMETER

Prepared by

CRAIG LEISING

INTRODUCTION

Shot peening is a process in which a substrate is bombarded with spherical metal, glass, or ceramic beads—commonly referred to as “shot”—at a force intended to induce plasticity on the surface. Analyzing the characteristics before and after peening provides crucial insights for enhancing process comprehension and control. The surface roughness and coverage area of dimples left by the shot are especially noteworthy aspects of interest.

Importance of 3D Non-Contact Profilometer for Shot-Peened Surface Analysis

Unlike traditional contact profilometers, which have traditionally been used for shot-peened surface analysis, 3D non-contact measurement provides a complete 3D image to offer a more comprehensive understanding of coverage area and surface topography. Without 3D capabilities, an inspection will solely rely on 2D information, which is insufficient for characterizing a surface. Understanding the topography, coverage area, and roughness in 3D is the best approach for controlling or improving the peening process. NANOVEA’s 3D Non-Contact Profilometers utilize Chromatic Light technology with a unique capability to measure steep angles found on machined and peened surfaces. Additionally, when other techniques fail to provide reliable data due to probe contact, surface variation, angle, or reflectivity, NANOVEA Profilometers succeed.

MEASUREMENT OBJECTIVE

In this application, the NANOVEA ST400 Non-Contact Profilometer is used to measure raw material and two differently peened surfaces for a comparative review. There is an endless list of surface parameters that can be automatically calculated after the 3D surface scan. Here, we will review the 3D surface and select areas of interest for further analysis, including quantifying and investigating the roughness, dimples, and surface area.

NANOVEA

ST400

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profilometer non-contact optical 3d

THE SAMPLE

RESULTS

STEEL SURFACE

ISO 25178 3D ROUGNESS PARAMETERS

SA 0.399 μm Average Roughness
Sq 0.516 μm RMS Roughness
Sz 5.686 μm Maximum Peak-to-Valley
Sp 2.976 μm Maximum Peak Height
Sv 2.711 μm Maximum Pit Depth
Sku 3.9344 Kurtosis
Ssk -0.0113 Skewness
Sal 0.0028 mm Auto-Correlation Length
Str 0.0613 Texture Aspect Ratio
Sdar 26.539 mm² Surface Area
Svk 0.589 μm Reduced Valley Depth
 

RESULTS

PEENED SURFACE 1

SURFACE COVERAGE
98.105%

ISO 25178 3D ROUGNESS PARAMETERS

Sa 4.102 μm Average Roughness
Sq 5.153 μm RMS Roughness
Sz 44.975 μm Maximum Peak-to-Valley
Sp 24.332 μm Maximum Peak Height
Sv 20.644 μm Maximum Pit Depth
Sku 3.0187 Kurtosis
Ssk 0.0625 Skewness
Sal 0.0976 mm Auto-Correlation Length
Str 0.9278 Texture Aspect Ratio
Sdar 29.451 mm² Surface Area
Svk 5.008 μm Reduced Valley Depth

RESULTS

PEENED SURFACE 2

SURFACE COVERAGE 97.366%

ISO 25178 3D ROUGNESS PARAMETERS

Sa 4.330 μm Average Roughness
Sq 5.455 μm RMS Roughness
Sz 54.013 μm Maximum Peak-to-Valley
Sp 25.908 μm Maximum Peak Height
Sv 28.105 μm Maximum Pit Depth
Sku 3.0642 Kurtosis
Ssk 0.1108 Skewness
Sal 0.1034 mm Auto-Correlation Length
Str 0.9733 Texture Aspect Ratio
Sdar 29.623 mm² Surface Area
Svk 5.167 μm Reduced Valley Depth

CONCLUSION

In this shot-peened surface analysis application, we have demonstrated how the NANOVEA ST400 3D Non-Contact Profiler precisely characterizes both the topography and nanometer details of a peened surface. It is evident that both Surface 1 and Surface 2 have a significant impact on all the parameters reported here when compared to the raw material. A simple visual examination of the images reveals the differences between the surfaces. This is further confirmed by observing the coverage area and the listed parameters. In comparison to Surface 2, Surface 1 exhibits a lower average roughness (Sa), shallower dents (Sv), and reduced surface area (Sdar), but a slightly higher coverage area.

From these 3D surface measurements, areas of interest can be readily identified and subjected to a comprehensive array of measurements, including Roughness, Finish, Texture, Shape, Topography, Flatness, Warpage, Planarity, Volume, Step-Height, and others. A 2D cross-section can quickly be chosen for detailed analysis. This information allows for a comprehensive investigation of peened surfaces, utilizing a complete range of surface measurement resources. Specific areas of interest could be further examined with an integrated AFM module. NANOVEA 3D Profilometers offer speeds of up to 200 mm/s. They can be customized in terms of size, speeds, scanning capabilities, and can even comply with Class 1 Clean Room standards. Options like Indexing Conveyor and integration for Inline or Online usage are also available.

A special thanks to Mr. Hayden at IMF for supplying the sample shown in this note. Industrial Metal Finishing Inc. | indmetfin.com

Paint Surface Morphology

PAINT SURFACE MORPHOLOGY

AUTOMATED REAL-TIME EVOLUTION MONITORING
USING NANOVEA 3D PROFILOMETER

Prepared by

DUANJIE LI, PhD

INTRODUCTION

Protective and decorative properties of paint play a significant role in a variety of industries, including automotive, marine, military, and construction. To achieve desired properties, such as corrosion resistance, UV protection, and abrasion resistance, paint formulas and architectures are carefully analyzed, modified, and optimized.

IMPORTANCE OF 3D NON-CONTACT PROFILOMETER FOR DRYING PAINT SURFACE MORPHOLOGY ANALYSIS

Paint is usually applied in liquid form and undergoes a drying process, which involves the evaporation of solvents and the transformation of the liquid paint into a solid film. During the drying process, the paint surface progressively changes its shape and texture. Different surface finishes and textures can be developed by using additives to modify the surface tension and flow properties of the paint. However, in cases of a poorly formulated paint recipe or improper surface treatment, undesired paint surface failures may occur.

Accurate in situ monitoring of the paint surface morphology during the drying period can provide direct insight into the drying mechanism. Moreover, real-time evolution of surface morphologies is very useful information in various applications, such as 3D printing. The NANOVEA 3D Non-Contact Profilometers measure the paint surface morphology of materials without touching the sample, avoiding any shape alteration that may be caused by contact technologies such as a sliding stylus.

MEASUREMENT OBJECTIVE

In this application, the NANOVEA ST500 Non-Contact Profilometer, equipped with a high-speed line optical sensor, is used to monitor the paint surface morphology during its 1-hour drying period. We showcase the NANOVEA Non-Contact Profilometer’s capability in providing automated real-time 3D profile measurement of materials with continuous shape change.

NANOVEA

ST500

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RESULTS & DISCUSSION

The paint was applied on the surface of a metal sheet, followed immediately by automated measurements of the morphology evolution of the drying paint in situ using the NANOVEA ST500 Non-Contact Profilometer equipped with a high-speed line sensor. A macro had been programmed to automatically measure and record the 3D surface morphology at specific time intervals: 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min. This automated scanning procedure enables users to perform scanning tasks automatically by running set procedures in sequence, significantly reducing effort, time, and possible user errors compared to manual testing or repeated scans. This automation proves to be extremely useful for long-term measurements involving multiple scans at different time intervals.

The optical line sensor generates a bright line consisting of 192 points, as shown in FIGURE 1. These 192 light points scan the sample surface simultaneously, significantly increasing the scanning speed. This ensures that each 3D scan is completed quickly to avoid substantial surface changes during each individual scan.

FIGURE 1: Optical line sensor scanning the surface of the drying paint.

The false color view, 3D view, and 2D profile of the drying paint topography at representative times are shown in FIGURE 2, FIGURE 3, and FIGURE 4, respectively. The false color in the images facilitates the detection of features that are not readily discernible. Different colors represent height variations across different areas of the sample surface. The 3D view provides an ideal tool for users to observe the paint surface from different angles. During the first 30 minutes of the test, the false colors on the paint surface gradually change from warmer tones to cooler ones, indicating a progressive decrease in height over time in this period. This process slows down, as shown by the mild color change when comparing the paint at 30 and 60 minutes.

The average sample height and roughness Sa values as a function of the paint drying time are plotted in FIGURE 5. The full roughness analysis of the paint after 0, 30, and 60 min drying time are listed in TABLE 1. It can be observed that the average height of the paint surface rapidly decreases from 471 to 329 µm in the first 30 min of drying time. The surface texture develops at the same time as the solvent vaporizes, leading to an increased roughness Sa value from 7.19 to 22.6 µm. The paint drying process slows down thereafter, resulting in a gradual decrease of the sample height and Sa value to 317 µm and 19.6 µm, respectively, at 60 min.

This study highlights the capabilities of the NANOVEA 3D Non-Contact Profilometer in monitoring the 3D surface changes of the drying paint in real-time, providing valuable insights into the paint drying process. By measuring the surface morphology without touching the sample, the profilometer avoids introducing shape alterations to the undried paint, which can occur with contact technologies like sliding stylus. This non-contact approach ensures accurate and reliable analysis of drying paint surface morphology.

FIGURE 2: Evolution of the drying paint surface morphology at different times.

FIGURE 3: 3D view of the paint surface evolution at different drying times.

FIGURE 4: 2D profile across the paint sample after different drying times.

FIGURE 5: Evolution of the average sample height and roughness value Sa as a function of the paint drying time.

ISO 25178

Drying time (min) 0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60
Sq (µm) 7.91 9.4 10.8 20.9 22.6 20.6 19.9 19.6
Sku 26.3 19.8 14.6 11.9 10.5 9.87 9.83 9.82
Sp (µm) 97.4 105 108 116 125 118 114 112
Sv (µm) 127 70.2 116 164 168 138 130 128
Sz (µm) 224 175 224 280 294 256 244 241
Sa (µm) 4.4 5.44 6.42 12.2 13.3 12.2 11.9 11.8

Sq – Root-mean-square height | Sku – Kurtosis | Sp – Maximum peak height | Sv – Maximum pit height | Sz – Maximum height | Sv – Arithmetic mean height

TABLE 1: Paint roughness at different drying times.

CONCLUSION

In this application, we have showcased the capabilities of the NANOVEA ST500 3D Non-Contact Profilometer in monitoring the evolution of paint surface morphology during the drying process. The high-speed optical line sensor, generating a line with 192 light spots that scan the sample surface simultaneously, has made the study time-efficient while ensuring unmatched accuracy.

The macro function of the acquisition software allows for programming automated measurements of the 3D surface morphology in situ, making it particularly useful for long-term measurement involving multiple scans at specific target time intervals. It significantly reduces the time, effort, and potential for user errors. The progressive changes in surface morphology are continuously monitored and recorded in real-time as the paint dries, providing valuable insights into the paint drying mechanism.

The data shown here represents only a fraction of the calculations available in the analysis software. NANOVEA Profilometers are capable of measuring virtually any surface, whether it’s transparent, dark, reflective, or opaque.

 

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Fractography Analysis Using 3D Profilometry

FRACTOGRAPHY ANALYSIS

USING 3D PROFILOMETRY

Prepared by

CRAIG LEISING

INTRODUCTION

Fractography is the study of features on fractured surfaces and has historically been investigated via Microscope or SEM. Depending on the size of the feature, a microscope (macro features) or SEM (nano and micro features) are selected for the surface analysis. Both ultimately allowing for the identification of the fracture mechanism type. Although effective, the Microscope has clear limitations and the SEM in most cases, other than atomic-level analysis, is unpractical for fracture surface measurement and lacks broader use capability. With advances in optical measurement technology, the NANOVEA 3D Non-Contact Profilometer is now considered the instrument of choice, with its ability to provide nano through macro-scale 2D & 3D surface measurements

IMPORTANCE OF 3D NON-CONTACT PROFILOMETER FOR FRACTURE INSPECTION

Unlike an SEM, a 3D Non-Contact Profilometer can measure nearly any surface, sample size, with minimal sample prep, all while offering superior vertical/horizontal dimensions to that of an SEM. With a profiler, nano through macro range features are captured in a single measurement with zero influence from sample reflectivity. Easily measure any material: transparent, opaque, specular, diffusive, polished, rough etc. The 3D Non-Contact Profilometer provides broad and user-friendly capability to maximize surface fracture studies at a fraction of the cost of an SEM.

MEASUREMENT OBJECTIVE

In this application, the NANOVEA ST400 is used to measure the fractured surface of a steel sample. In this study, we will showcase a 3D area, 2D profile extraction and surface directional map of the surface.

NANOVEA

ST400

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RESULTS

TOP SURFACE

3D Surface Texture Direction

Isotropy51.26%
First Direction123.2º
Second Direction116.3º
Third Direction0.1725º

Surface Area, Volume, Roughness and many others can be automatically calculated from this extraction.

2D Profile Extraction

RESULTS

SIDE SURFACE

3D Surface Texture Direction

Isotropy15.55%
First Direction0.1617º
Second Direction110.5º
Third Direction171.5º

Surface Area, Volume, Roughness and many others can be automatically calculated from this extraction.

2D Profile Extraction

CONCLUSION

In this application, we have shown how the NANOVEA ST400 3D Non-Contact Profilometer can precisely characterize the full topography (nano, micro and macro features) of a fractured surface. From the 3D area, the surface can be clearly identified and subareas or profiles/cross-sections can be quickly extracted and analyzed with an endless list of surface calculations. Sub nanometer surface features can be further analyzed with an integrated AFM module.

Additionally, NANOVEA has included a portable version to their Profilometer line-up, especially critical for field studies where a fracture surface is immovable. With this broad list of surface measurement capabilities, fracture surface analysis has never been easier and more convenient with a single instrument.

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Fiberglass Surface Topography Using 3D Profilometry

FIBERGLASS SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY

USING 3D PROFILOMETRY

Prepared by

CRAIG LEISING

INTRODUCTION

Fiberglass is a material made from extremely fine fibers of glass. It is used as a reinforcing agent for many polymer products; the resulting composite material, properly known as fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) or glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), is called “fiberglass” in popular usage.

IMPORTANCE OF SURFACE METROLOGY INSPECTION FOR QUALITY CONTROL

Although there are many uses for Fiberglass reinforcement, in most applications it is crucial that they are as strong as possible. Fiberglass composites have one of the highest strength to weight ratios available and in some cases, pound for pound it is stronger than steel. Aside from high strength, it is also important to have the smallest possible exposed surface area. Large fiberglass surfaces can make the structure more vulnerable to chemical attack and possibly material expansion. Therefore, surface inspection is critical to quality control production.

MEASUREMENT OBJECTIVE

In this application, the NANOVEA ST400 is used to measure a Fiberglass Composite surface for roughness and flatness. By quantifying these surface features it is possible to create or optimize a stronger, longer lasting fiberglass composite material.

NANOVEA

ST400

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MEASUREMENT PARAMETERS

PROBE 1 mm
ACQUISITION RATE300 Hz
AVERAGING1
MEASURED SURFACE5 mm x 2 mm
STEP SIZE5 µm x 5 µm
SCANNING MODEConstant speed

PROBE SPECIFICATIONS

MEASUREMENT RANGE1 mm
Z RESOLUTION 25 nm
Z ACCURACY200 nm
LATERAL RESOLUTION 2 μm

RESULTS

FALSE COLOR VIEW

3D Surface Flatness

3D Surface Roughness

Sa15.716 μmArithmetical Mean Height
Sq19.905 μmRoot Mean Square Height
Sp116.74 μmMaximum Peak Height
Sv136.09 μmMaximum Pit Height
Sz252.83 μmMaximum Height
Ssk0.556Skewness
Ssu3.654Kurtosis

CONCLUSION

As shown in the results, the NANOVEA ST400 Optical Profiler was able to accurately measure the roughness and flatness of the fiberglass composite surface. Data can be measured over multiple batches of fiber composites and or a given time period to provide crucial information about different fiberglass manufacturing processes and how they react over time. Thus, the ST400 is a viable option for strengthening the quality control process of fiberglass composite materials.

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Polymer Belt Wear and Friction using a Tribometer

POLYMER BELTS

WEAR AND FRICTION USING a TRIBOMETER

Prepared by

DUANJIE LI, PhD

INTRODUCTION

Belt drive transmits power and tracks relative movement between two or more rotating shafts. As a simple and inexpensive solution with minimal maintenance, belt drives are widely used in a variety of applications, such as bucksaws, sawmills, threshers, silo blowers and conveyors. Belt drives can protect the machinery from overload as well as damp and isolate vibration.

IMPORTANCE OF WEAR EVALUATION FOR BELT DRIVES

Friction and wear are inevitable for the belts in a belt-driven machine. Sufficient friction ensures effective power transmission without slipping, but excessive friction may rapidly wear the belt. Different types of wear such as fatigue, abrasion and friction take place during the belt drive operation. In order to extend the lifetime of the belt and to cut the cost and time on belt repairing and replacement, reliable evaluation of the wear performance of the belts is desirable in improving belt lifespan, production efficiency and application performance. Accurate measurement of the coefficient of friction and wear rate of the belt facilitates R&D and quality control of belt production.

High Load Pneumatic Tribometer

MEASUREMENT OBJECTIVE

In this study, we simulated and compared the wear behaviors of belts with different surface textures to showcase the capacity of the NANOVEA T2000 Tribometer in simulating the wear process of the belt in a controlled and monitored manner.

NANOVEA

T2000

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TEST PROCEDURES

The coefficient of friction, COF, and the wear resistance of two belts with different surface roughness and texture were evaluated by the NANOVEA High-Load Tribometer using Linear Reciprocating Wear Module. A Steel 440 ball (10 mm diameter) was used as the counter material. The surface roughness and wear track were examined using an integrated 3D Non-Contact profilometer. The wear rate, K, was evaluated using the formula K=Vl(Fxs), where V is the worn volume, F is the normal load and s is the sliding distance.

 

Please note that a smooth Steel 440 ball counterpart was used as an example in this study, any solid material with different shapes and surface finish can be applied using custom fixtures to simulate the actual application situation.

RESULTS & DISCUSSION

The Textured Belt and Smooth Belt have a surface roughness Ra of 33.5 and 8.7 um, respectively, according to the analyzed surface profiles taken with a NANOVEA 3D Non-Contact Optical profiler. The COF and wear rate of the two tested belts were measured at 10 N and 100 N, respectively, to compare the wear behavior of the belts at different loads.

FIGURE 1 shows the evolution of COF of the belts during the wear tests. The belts with different textures exhibit substantially different wear behaviors. It is interesting that after the run-in period during which the COF progressively increases, the Textured Belt reaches a lower COF of ~0.5 in both the tests conducted using loads of 10 N and 100 N. In comparison, the Smooth Belt tested under the load of 10 N exhibits a significantly higher COF of~ 1.4 when the COF gets stable and maintains above this value for the rest of the test. The Smooth Belt tested under the load of 100 N rapidly was worn out by the steel 440 ball and formed a large wear track. The test was therefore stopped at 220 revolutions.

FIGURE 1: Evolution of COF of the belts at different loads.

FIGURE 2 compares the 3D wear track images after the tests at 100 N. The NANOVEA 3D non-contact profilometer offers a tool to analyze the detailed morphology of the wear tracks, providing more insight in fundamental understanding of wear mechanism.

TABLE 1: Result of wear track analysis.

FIGURE 2:  3D view of the two belts
after the tests at 100 N.

The 3D wear track profile allows direct and accurate determination of the wear track volume calculated by the advanced analysis software as shown in TABLE 1. In a wear test for 220 revolutions, the Smooth Belt has a much larger and deeper wear track with a volume of 75.7 mm3, compared to a wear volume of 14.0 mm3 for the Textured Belt after a 600-revolution wear test. The significantly higher friction of the Smooth Belt against the steel ball leads to a 15 fold higher wear rate compared to the Textured Belt.

 

Such a drastic difference of COF between the Textured Belt and Smooth Belt is possibly related to the size of the contact area between the belt and the steel ball, which also leads to their different wear performance. FIGURE 3 shows the wear tracks of the two belts under the optical microscope. The wear track examination is in agreement with the observation on COF evolution: The Textured Belt, which maintains a low COF of ~0.5, exhibits no sign of wear after the wear test under a load of 10 N. The Smooth Belt shows a small wear track at 10 N. The wear tests carried out at 100 N create substantially larger wear tracks on both the Textured and Smooth Belts, and the wear rate will be calculated using 3D profiles as will be discussed in the following paragraph.

FIGURE 3:  Wear tracks under optical microscope.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we showcased the capacity of the NANOVEA T2000 Tribometer in evaluating the coefficient of friction and wear rate of belts in a well-controlled and quantitative manner. The surface texture plays a critical role in the friction and wear resistance of the belts during their service performance. The textured belt exhibits a stable coefficient of friction of ~0.5 and possesses a long lifetime, which results in reduced time and cost on tool repairing or replacement. In comparison, the excessive friction of the smooth belt against the steel ball rapidly wears the belt. Further, the loading on the belt is a vital factor of its service lifetime. Overload creates very high friction, leading to accelerated wear to the belt.

The NANOVEA T2000 Tribometer offers precise and repeatable wear and friction testing using ISO and ASTM compliant rotative and linear modes, with optional high temperature wear, lubrication and tribocorrosion modules available in one pre-integrated system. NANOVEA’s unmatched range is an ideal solution for determining the full range of tribological properties of thin or thick, soft or hard coatings, films and substrates.

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Fossil Microstructure Using 3D Profilometry

FOSSIL MICROSTRUCTURE

USING 3D PROFILOMETRY

Prepared by

DUANJIE LI, PhD

INTRODUCTION

Fossils are the preserved remains of traces of plants, animals and other organisms buried in sediment under ancient seas, lakes and rivers. The soft body tissue usually decays after death, but the hard shells, bones and teeth fossilize. Microstructure surface features are often preserved when mineral replacement of the original shells and bones takes place, which provides an insight into the evolution of weather and the formation mechanism of fossils.

IMPORTANCE OF A 3D NON-CONTACT PROFILOMETER FOR FOSSIL EXAMINATION

3D profiles of the fossil enable us to observe the detailed surface features of the fossil sample from a closer angle. The high resolution and accuracy of the NANOVEA profilometer may not be discernible by the naked eye. The profilometer’s analysis software offers a wide range of studies applicable to these unique surfaces. Unlike other techniques such as touch probes, the NANOVEA 3D Non-Contact Profilometer measures the surface features without touching the sample. This allows for the preservation of the true surface features of certain delicate fossil samples. Moreover, the portable model Jr25 profilometer enables 3D measurement on fossil sites, which substantially facilitates fossil analysis and protection after excavation.

MEASUREMENT OBJECTIVE

In this study, the NANOVEA Jr25 Profilometer is used to measure the surface of two representative fossil samples. The entire surface of each fossil was scanned and analyzed in order to characterize its surface features which include roughness, contour and texture direction.

NANOVEA

Jr25

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BRACHIOPOD FOSSIL

The first fossil sample presented in this report is a Brachiopod fossil, which came from a marine animal that has hard “valves” (shells) on its upper and lower surfaces. They first appeared in the Cambrian period, which is more than 550 million years ago.

The 3D View of the scan is shown in FIGURE 1 and False Color View is shown in FIGURE 2. 

FIGURE 1: 3D View of the Brachiopod fossil sample.

FIGURE 2: False Color View of the Brachiopod fossil sample.

The overall form was then removed from the surface in order to investigate the local surface morphology and contour of the Brachiopod fossil as shown in FIGURE 3. A peculiar divergent groove texture can now be observed on the Brachiopod fossil sample.

FIGURE 3: False Color View and Contour Lines View after form removal.

A line profile is extracted from the textured area to show a crossectional view of the fossil surface in FIGURE 4. The Step Height study measures precise dimensions of the surface features. The grooves possess an average width of ~0.38 mm and depth of ~0.25 mm.

FIGURE 4: Line profile and Step Height studies of the textured surface.

CRINOID STEM FOSSIL

The second fossil sample is a Crinoid stem fossil. Crinoids first appeared in the seas of the Middle Cambrian Period, about 300 million years before dinosaurs. 

 

The 3D View of the scan is shown in FIGURE 5 and False Color View is shown in FIGURE 6. 

FIGURE 5: 3D View of the Crinoid fossil sample.

The surface texture isotropy and roughness of the Crinoid stem fossil are analyzed in FIGURE 7. 

 This fossil has a preferential texture direction in the angle close to 90°, leading to texture isotropy of 69%.

FIGURE 6: False Color View of the Crinoid stem sample.

 

FIGURE 7: Surface texture isotropy and roughness of the Crinoid stem fossil.

The 2D profile along the axial direction of the Crinoid stem fossil is shown in FIGURE 8. 

The size of the peaks of the surface texture is fairly uniform.

FIGURE 8: 2D profile analysis of the Crinoid stem fossil.

CONCLUSION

In this application, we comprehensively studied the 3D surface features of a Brachiopod and Crinoid stem fossil using the NANOVEA Jr25 Portable Non-Contact Profilometer. We showcase that the instrument can precisely characterize the 3D morphology of the fossil samples. The interesting surface features and texture of the samples are then further analyzed. The Brachiopod sample possesses a divergent groove texture, while the Crinoid stem fossil shows  preferential texture isotropy. The detailed and precise 3D surface scans prove to be ideal tools for palaeontologists and geologists to study the evolution of lives and the formation of fossils.

The data shown here represent only a portion of the calculations available in the analysis software. NANOVEA Profilometers measure virtually any surface in fields including Semiconductor, Microelectronics, Solar, Fiber Optics, Automotive, Aerospace, Metallurgy, Machining, Coatings, Pharmaceutical, Biomedical, Environmental and many others.

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Processed Leather Surface Finish using 3D Profilometry

PROCESSED LEATHER

SURFACE FINISH USING 3D PROFILOMETRY

Prepared by

CRAIG LEISING

INTRODUCTION

Once the tanning process of a leather hide is complete the leather surface can undergo several finishing processes for a variety of looks and touch. These mechanical processes can include stretching, buffing, sanding, embossing, coating etc. Dependent upon the end use of the leather some may require a more precise, controlled and repeatable processing.

IMPORTANCE OF PROFILOMETRY INSPECTION FOR R&D AND QUALITY CONTROL

Due to the large variation and unreliability of visual inspection methods, tools that are capable of accurately quantifying micro and nano scales features can improve leather finishing processes. Understanding the surface finish of leather in a quantifiable sense can lead to improved data driven surface processing selection to achieve optimal finish results. NANOVEA 3D Non-Contact Profilometers utilize chromatic confocal technology to measure finished leather surfaces and offer the highest repeatability and accuracy in the market. Where other techniques fail to provide reliable data, due to probe contact, surface variation, angle, absorption or reflectivity, NANOVEA Profilometers succeed.

MEASUREMENT OBJECTIVE

In this application, the NANOVEA ST400 is used to measure and compare the surface finish of two different but closely processed leather samples. Several surface parameters are automatically calculated from the surface profile.

Here we will focus on surface roughness, dimple depth, dimple pitch and dimple diameter for comparative evaluation.

NANOVEA

ST400

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RESULTS: SAMPLE 1

ISO 25178

HEIGHT PARAMETERS

OTHER 3D PARAMETERS

RESULTS: SAMPLE 2

ISO 25178

HEIGHT PARAMETERS

OTHER 3D PARAMETERS

DEPTH COMPARATIVE

Depth distribution for each sample.
A large number of deep dimples were observed in SAMPLE 1.

PITCH COMPARATIVE

Pitch between dimples on SAMPLE 1 is slightly smaller
than SAMPLE 2, but both have a similar distribution

 MEAN DIAMETER COMPARATIVE

Similar distributions of mean diameter of dimples,
with SAMPLE 1 showing slightly smaller mean diameters on average.

CONCLUSION

In this application, we have shown how the NANOVEA ST400 3D Profilometer can precisely characterize the surface finish of processed leather. In this study, having the ability to measure surface roughness, dimple depth, dimple pitch and dimple diameter allowed us to quantify differences between the finish and quality of the two samples that may not be obvious by visual inspection.

Overall there were no visible difference in the appearance of the 3D scans between SAMPLE 1 and SAMPLE 2. However, in the statistical analysis there is a clear distinction between the two samples. SAMPLE 1 contains a higher quantity of dimples with smaller diameters, larger depths and smaller dimple-to-dimple pitch in comparison to SAMPLE 2.

Please note that additional studies are available. Special areas of interest could have been further analyzed with an integrated AFM or Microscope module. NANOVEA 3D Profilometer speeds range from 20 mm/s to 1 m/s for laboratory or research to meet the needs of high-speed inspection; can be built with custom sizing, speeds, scanning capabilities, Class 1 clean room compliance, indexing conveyor or for in-line or online integration.

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Mechanical Properties of Hydrogel

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF HYDROGEL

USING NANOINDENTATION

Prepared by

DUANJIE LI, PhD & JORGE RAMIREZ

INTRODUCTION

Hydrogel is known for its super absorbency of water allowing for a close resemblance in flexibility as natural tissues. This resemblance has made hydrogel a common choice not only in biomaterials, but also in electronics, environment and consumer good applications such as contact lens. Each unique application requires specific hydrogel mechanical properties.

IMPORTANCE OF NANOINDENTATION FOR HYDROGEL

Hydrogels create unique challenges for Nanoindentation such as test parameters selection and sample preparation. Many nanoindentation systems have major limitations since they were not originally designed for such soft materials. Some of the nanoindentation systems use a coil/magnet assembly to apply force on the sample. There is no actual force measurement, leading to inaccurate and non-linear loading when testing soft materials. Determining the point of contact is extremely difficult as the depth is the only parameter actually being measured. It is almost impossible to observe the change of slope in the Depth vs Time plot during the period when the indenter tip is approaching the hydrogel material.

In order to overcome the limitations of these systems, the nano module of the NANOVEA Mechanical Tester measures the force feedback with an individual load cell to ensure high accuracy on all types of materials, soft or hard. The piezo-controlled displacement is extremely precise and fast. This allows unmatched measurement of viscoelastic properties by eliminating many theoretical assumptions that systems with a coil/magnet assembly and no force feedback must account for.

MEASUREMENT OBJECTIVE

In this application, the NANOVEA Mechanical Tester, in Nanoindentation mode, is used to study the hardness, elastic modulus and creep of a hydrogel sample.

NANOVEA

PB1000

nanoindenter and scratch tester Nanovea PB1000
TEST CONDITIONS

A hydrogel sample placed on a glass slide was tested by nanoindentation technique using a NANOVEA Mechanical Tester. For this soft material a 3 mm diameter spherical tip was used. The load linearly increased from 0.06 to 10 mN during the loading period. The creep was then measured by the change of indentation depth at the maximum load of 10 mN for 70 seconds.

APPROACH SPEED: 100 μm/min

CONTACT LOAD
0.06 mN
MAX LOAD
10 mN
LOADING RATE

20 mN/min

CREEP
70 s
RESULTS & DISCUSSION

The evolution of the load and depth as a function of time is shown in FUGURE 1. It can be observed that on the plot of the Depth vs Time, it is very difficult to determine the point of the change of slope at the beginning of the loading period, which usually works as an indication where the indenter starts to contact the soft material. However, the plot of the Load vs Time shows the peculiar behavior of the hydrogel under an applied load. As the hydrogel begins to get in touch with the ball indenter, the hydrogel pulls the ball indenter due to its surface tension, which tends to decrease the surface area. This behavior leads to the negative measured load at the beginning of the loading stage. The load progressively increases as the indenter sinks into the hydrogel, and it is then controlled to be constant at the maximum load of 10 mN for 70 seconds to study the creep behavior of the hydrogel.

FIGURE 1: Evolution of the load and depth as a function of Time.

The plot of the Creep Depth vs Time is shown in FIGURE 2, and the Load vs. Displacement plot of the nanoindentation test is shown in FIGURE 3. The hydrogel in this study possesses a hardness of 16.9 KPa and a Young’s modulus of 160.2 KPa, as calculated based on the load displacement curve using the Oliver-Pharr method.

Creep is an important factor for the study of a hydrogel’s mechanical properties. The close-loop feedback control between piezo and ultrasensitive load cell ensures a true constant loading during the creep time at the maximum load. As shown in FIGURE 2, the hydrogel subsides ~42 μm as a result of creep in 70 seconds under the 10 mN maximum load applied by the 3 mm ball tip.

FIGURE 2: Creeping at a max load of 10 mN for 70 seconds.

FIGURE 3: The Load vs. Displacement plot of the hydrogel.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we showcased that the NANOVEA Mechanical Tester, in Nanoindentation mode, provides a precise and repeatable measurement of a hydrogel’s mechanical properties including hardness, Young’s modulus and creep. The large 3 mm ball tip ensures proper contact against the hydrogel surface. The high precision motorized sample stage allows for accurate positioning of the flat face of the hydrogel sample under the ball tip. The hydrogel in this study exhibits a hardness of 16.9 KPa and a Young’s modulus of 160.2 KPa. The creep depth is ~42 μm under a 10 mN load for 70 seconds.

NANOVEA Mechanical Testers provide unmatched multi-function Nano and Micro modules on a single platform. Both modules include a scratch tester, hardness tester and a wear tester mode, offering the widest and the most user friendly range of testing available on a single
system.

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Piston Wear Testing

Piston Wear Testing

Using a Tribometer

Prepared by

FRANK LIU

INTRODUCTION

Friction loss accounts for approximately 10% of total energy in fuel for a diesel engine[1]. 40-55% of the friction loss comes from the power cylinder system. The loss of energy from friction can be diminished with better understanding of the tribological interactions occurring in the power cylinder system.

A significant portion of the friction loss in the power cylinder system stems from the contact between the piston skirt and the cylinder liner. The interaction between the piston skirt, lubricant, and cylinder interfaces is quite complex due to the constant changes in force, temperature, and speed in a real life engine. Optimizing each factor is key to obtaining optimal engine performance. This study will focus on replicating the mechanisms causing friction forces and wear at the piston skirt-lubricant-cylinder liner (P-L-C) interfaces.

 Schematic of power cylinders system and piston skirt-lubricant-cylinder liner interfaces.

[1] Bai, Dongfang. Modeling piston skirt lubrication in internal combustion engines. Diss. MIT, 2012

IMPORTANCE OF TESTING PISTONS WITH TRIBOMETERS

Motor oil is a lubricant that is well-designed for its application. In addition to the base oil, additives such as detergents, dispersants, viscosity improver (VI), anti-wear/anti-friction agents, and corrosion inhibitors are added to improve its performance. These additives affect how the oil behaves under different operating conditions. The behavior of oil affects the P-L-C interfaces and determines if significant wear from metal-metal contact or if hydrodynamic lubrication (very little wear) is occurring.

It is difficult to understand the P-L-C interfaces without isolating the area from external variables. It is more practical to simulate the event with conditions that are representative of its real-life application. The NANOVEA Tribometer is ideal for this. Equipped with multiple force sensors, depth sensor, a drop-by-drop lubricant module, and linear reciprocating stage, the NANOVEA T2000 is able to closely mimic events occurring within an engine block and obtain valuable data to better understand the P-L-C interfaces.

Liquid Module on the NANOVEA T2000 Tribometer

The drop-by-drop module is crucial for this study. Since pistons can move at a very fast rate (above 3000 rpm), it is difficult to create a thin film of lubricant by submerging the sample. To remedy this issue, the drop-by-drop module is able to consistently apply a constant amount of lubricant onto the piston skirt surface.

Application of fresh lubricant also removes concern of dislodged wear contaminants influencing the lubricant’s properties.

High Load Pneumatic Tribometer

NANOVEA T2000

High Load Tribometer

MEASUREMENT OBJECTIVE

The piston skirt-lubricant-cylinder liner interfaces will be studied in this report. The interfaces will be replicated by conducting a linear reciprocating wear test with drop-by-drop lubricant module.

The lubricant will be applied at room temperature and heated conditions to compare cold start and optimal operation conditions. The COF and wear rate will be observed to better understand how the interfaces behaves in real-life applications.

TEST PARAMETERS

for tribology testing on pistons

LOAD ………………………. 100 N

TEST DURATION ………………………. 30 min

SPEED ………………………. 2000 rpm

AMPLITUDE ………………………. 10 mm

TOTAL DISTANCE ………………………. 1200 m

SKIRT COATING ………………………. Moly-graphite

PIN MATERIAL ………………………. Aluminum Alloy 5052

PIN DIAMETER ………………………. 10 mm

LUBRICANT ………………………. Motor Oil (10W-30)

APPROX. FLOW RATE ………………………. 60 mL/min

TEMPERATURE ………………………. Room temp & 90°C

LINEAR RECIPROCATING TEST RESULTS

In this experiment, A5052 was used as the counter material. While engine blocks are usually made of cast aluminum such as A356, A5052 have mechanical properties similar to A356 for this simulative testing [2].

Under the testing conditions, significant wear was
observed on the piston skirt at room temperature
compared to at 90°C. The deep scratches seen on the samples suggest that contact between the static material and the piston skirt occurs frequently throughout the test. The high viscosity at room temperature may be restricting the oil from completely filling gaps at the interfaces and creating metal-metal contact. At higher temperature, the oil thins and is able to flow between the pin and the piston. As a result, significantly less wear is observed at higher temperature. FIGURE 5 shows one side of the wear scar wore significantly less than the other side. This is most likely due to the location of the oil output. The lubricant film thickness was thicker on one side than the other, causing uneven wearing.

 

 

[2] “5052 Aluminum vs 356.0 Aluminum.” MakeItFrom.com, makeitfrom.com/compare/5052-O-Aluminum/A356.0-SG70B-A13560-Cast-Aluminum

The COF of linear reciprocating tribology tests can be split into a high and low pass. High pass refers to the sample moving in the forward, or positive, direction and low pass refers to the sample moving in the reverse, or negative, direction. The average COF for the RT oil was observed to be under 0.1 for both directions. The average COF between passes were 0.072 and 0.080. The average COF of the 90°C oil was found to be different between passes. Average COF values of 0.167 and 0.09 were observed. The difference in COF gives additional proof that the oil was only able to properly wet one side of the pin. High COF was obtained when a thick film was formed between the pin and the piston skirt due to hydrodynamic lubrication occurring. Lower COF is observed in the other direction when mixed lubrication is occurring. For more information on hydrodynamic lubrication and mixed lubrication, please visit our application note on Stribeck Curves.

Table 1: Results from lubricated wear test on pistons.

FIGURE 1: COF graphs for room temperature oil wear test A raw profile B high pass C low pass.

FIGURE 2: COF graphs for 90°C wear oil test A raw profile B high pass C low pass.

FIGURE 3: Optical image of wear scar from RT motor oil wear test.

FIGURE 4: Volume of a hole analysis of wear scar from RT motor oil wear test.

FIGURE 5: Profilometry scan of wear scar from RT motor oil wear test.

FIGURE 6: Optical image of wear scar from 90°C motor oil wear test

FIGURE 7: Volume of a hole analysis of wear scar from 90°C motor oil wear test.

FIGURE 8: Profilometry scan of wear scar from 90°C motor oil wear test.

CONCLUSION

Lubricated linear reciprocating wear testing was conducted on a piston to simulate events occurring in a
real-life operational engine. The piston skirt-lubricant-cylinder liner interfaces is crucial to the operations of an engine. The lubricant thickness at the interface is responsible for energy loss due to friction or wear between the piston skirt and cylinder liner. To optimize the engine, the film thickness must be as thin as possible without allowing the piston skirt and cylinder liner to touch. The challenge, however, is how changes in temperature, speed, and force will affect the P-L-C interfaces.

With its wide range of loading (up to 2000 N) and speed (up to 15000 rpm), the NANOVEA T2000 tribometer is able to simulate different conditions possible in an engine. Possible future studies on this topic include how the P-L-C interfaces will behave under different constant load, oscillated load, lubricant temperature, speed, and lubricant application method. These parameters can be easily adjusted with the NANOVEA T2000 tribometer to give a complete understanding on the mechanisms of the piston skirt-lubricant-cylinder liner interfaces.

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Organic Surface Topography using Portable 3D Profilometer
 

ORGANIC SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY

USING PORTABLE 3D PROFILOMETER

Prepared by

CRAIG LEISING

INTRODUCTION

Nature has become a vital pool of inspiration for the development of improved surface structure. Understanding the surface structures found in nature has led to adhesion studies based on gecko’s feet, resistance studies based on a sea cucumbers textural change and repellency studies based from leaves, among many others. These surfaces have a number of potential applications from biomedical to clothing and automotive. For any of these surface breakthroughs to be successful, fabrication techniques must be developed so surface characteristics can be mimicked and reproduced. It is this process that will require identification and control.

IMPORTANCE OF PORTABLE 3D NON-CONTACT OPTICAL PROFILER FOR ORGANIC SURFACES

Utilizing Chromatic Light technology, the NANOVEA Jr25 Portable Optical Profiler has superior capability to measure nearly any material. That includes the unique and steep angles, reflective and absorbing surfaces found within natures broad range of surface characteristics. 3D non-contact measurements provide a full 3D image to give a more complete understanding of surface features. Without 3D capabilities, identification of nature’s surfaces would be solely relying on 2D information or microscope imaging, which does not provide sufficient information to properly mimic the surface studied. Understanding the full range of the surface characteristics including texture, form, dimension, among many others, will be critical to successful fabrication.

The ability to easily obtain lab-quality results in the field opens the door for new research opportunities.

MEASUREMENT OBJECTIVE

In this application, the NANOVEA Jr25 is used to measure the surface of a leaf. There is an endless list of surface parameters that can be automatically calculated after the 3D surface scan.

Here we will review the 3D surface and select
areas of interest to further analyze, including
quantifying and investigating the surface roughness, channels and topography

NANOVEA

JR25

TEST CONDITIONS

FURROW DEPTH

Mean density of furrows: 16.471 cm/cm2
Mean depth of furrows: 97.428 μm
Maximum depth: 359.769 μm

CONCLUSION

In this application, we have shown how the NANOVEA Jr25 portable 3D Non-Contact Optical Profiler can precisely characterize both the topography and the nanometer scale details of a leaf surface in the field. From these 3D surface measurements, areas of interest can quickly be identified and then analyzed with a list of endless studies (Dimension, Roughness Finish Texture, Shape Form Topography, Flatness Warpage Planarity, Volume Area, Step-Height and others). A 2D cross section can be easily chosen to analyze further details. With this information organic surfaces can be broadly investigated with a complete set of surface measurement resources. Special areas of interest could have been further analyzed with integrated AFM module on table top models.

NANOVEA also offers portable high-speed profilometers for field research and a wide range of lab-based systems, as well as provides laboratory services.

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