UST^®

Universal Surface Tester

Material and Surface Analysis

Basic Functions

Universal test instrument for determination of micro-mechanical properties of materials and surfaces in situ with high local resolution.

Allows analysis of micro-mechanical, micro-tribological and functional properties of materials in the submicrometer range. Abrasion, wear, scratch resistance, micro friction, structure and haptic parameters can be measured. The UST^® is not only used to evaluate plastics, lacquers, coatings and fabrics, but also enables the user to measure, evaluate and classify polymers, metals, ceramics, textiles, rubber and biological materials.

The Universal Surface Tester (UST®) offers determination of different materials, functional and surface parameters and values in one unit. Modular expansion is readily available.

Testing method

With the patented MISTAN^®-process a material surface is scanned mechanically along a straight line in three steps. This way total deformation as well as elastic and permanent deformation are recorded and evaluated.

Hardware Options

UST® 100 with load range 1 – 100 mN.

UST® 1000 with load range 10 – 1000 mN for characterisation of harder surfaces and coatings.

Module 'Micro-Tribology and Micro-Friction'

Piezo-based force measurement system including the UST®-positioning table for high-sensitive measurement of the tribological force form, as well as static and sliding friction.
Resolution < 1 mN.

TA-X®

Evaluation of the abrasion resistance of different materials and coatings, e.g. lacquers and polymers in the micro and nano range by 'non-destructive test'.

High-speed x-linear table

For highly dynamic measurements.

Automatic x-y-positioning table

3-D evaluation of topography and deformation.

Main Software Options

Module 'Scratch Test'

Innovative measurement of scratch resistance with simultaneously increasing load and recording of the dynamic resistance force with local resolution.

Module 'Micro Tribology'

In situ acquisition of all force, stroke and deformation parameters with local resolution.

Module 'Abrasion'

For determination of wear and abrasion, free setting of abrasion cycles with simultaneous recording of the dynamic resistance force.

Module 'Viscoelasticity'

Static testing of creep and relaxation properties with time and force control.

Module 'Universal Hardness'

Determination of the universal hardness in N/mm² acc. to DIN EN 14577-1 by Vickers or Berkovich pyramid (also 3-dimensional).

Module 'Damping'

Software module for determination of damping properties of different materials and surfaces.

Module 'Roughness' DIN EN ISO 4287

For determination of the roughness parameters R_a, R_q & R_z. Automatic or manual adjustment of the wavelength filter.

Characterisation of haptical surface properties

Characterisation of tactile properties of structured or shagreen surfaces (e.g. for determination of the haptic of soft feel coatings).

Accessories

Specimen Holders:

Vacuum table
High-precision vice
Quick-change holder
Purpose-built holders on request

Tips

Steel cone 60°

Diamond cones 60° - 120°
For abrasion, scratch and roughness measurements.

Scratch diamond 120°
Upright to the specimen with a free angle of 5° for scratch resistance measurement.

Vickers- and Berkovich pyramids
4-sided and 3-sided diamond pyramids, α = 136° / 65°, respectively; for universal hardness measurements.

Steel balls
Dia. 0.8 / 1.8 / 5.0 / 20 mm

Cutting tool
Blade for determination of cutting resistance of papers and textiles.

Mountings
For individual UST^®-tips, with internal thread.

Special tips on request.

• more details
• request a quotation
• a sample of measurement report
• brochure (high quality, 1,1 MB)
  brochure (low quality, 120 KB)