A Micro Tribotester for MEMS Elements

  • Kim Choong-Hyun (Tribology Research center, KIST) ;
  • Ahn Hyo-Sok (Department of Die and Mould Design, Seoul National Univ. of Technology)
  • Published : 2006.08.01

Abstract

A computer-controlled micro tribotester has been developed to investigate the friction and wear characteristics of thin coatings, which can be applied to silicon-based materials. In the developed system, a step motor gives a reciprocating movement and an electromagnet applies a load between a ball and a plate specimen. Test results confirmed that the application of load in the range of $0.03{\sim}1.8N$ and with a sliding speed of $4.44{\sim}7.70mm/s$ was successfully accomplished. Advantages of the developed micro tribotester are: (1) realization of micro load and displacement applicable to micro electromechanical systems(MEMS) using DC motor and electromagnet (2) continuously variable load and reciprocating speed; and (3) high reliability, which allows for unattended use for long periods.

Keywords

References

  1. Wang, D. F. and Kato, K., 2001, 'Tribological evaluation of carbon coatings with and without nitrogenincorporation applicable to MicroElectroMechanical systems,' Sensors and Actuators A 93, pp. 251-257 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0924-4247(01)00651-3
  2. Hayward, I. P. and Field, J. E., 1988, 'A computer-controlled friction measuring apparatus,' J. Phys. E: Sci. Instrum. 21, pp. 753-756 https://doi.org/10.1088/0022-3735/21/8/003
  3. Hannigan, J. W. and Schwarz, R. B., 1988, 'Compact friction and wear machine,' Rev. Sci. Instrum. 59, pp. 1420-1422 https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1139680
  4. Wang, H., Ong, C. W., Tsui, Y. C., and Lau, W. M., 2005, 'Manually operated tester for characterization of mechanical proeprties of thin films,' Rev. Sci. Instrum. 76, 016101-016101_4 https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1834706
  5. TRlBOtechnic, 2006, Pin-on Disc & Oscillating TRIBOtester, http://www.tribotechnic.com/en/index.htm
  6. Mess-und Pruefsysteme Gmbh, 2006, Tribometer, http://www.wazau.com/en/material/surface/tribo_mtm10.html
  7. Baumberger, T., Bureau, L., Busson, M., Falcon, E. and Perrin, B., 1998, 'An inertial tribometer for measuring microslip dissipation at a solid-solid multicontact interface,' Rev. Sci. Instrum. 69, pp. 2416-2420 https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1148969
  8. Fujii, Y. and Yamaguchi, T., 2004, 'Optical method for evaluating material friction,' Meas. Sci. Technol. 15, pp. 1971-1976 https://doi.org/10.1088/0957-0233/15/10/004
  9. Kim, C. H. and Ahn, H. S., 2005, Micro friction tester, Korea Patent No. 10-0524346