The 3D spacer layer imaging (3D-SLIM) option uses optical interferometry to measure the thickness of sub-micron additive films on the specimens as they form during the test. When used in tandem with the friction measurement, this provides a full, real-time picture of both the chemical and physical effects of the films formed in the contact.
Method
Between steps of running under mixed sliding/rolling conditions for a fixed duration, the ball is stopped periodically and loaded against a glass disc coated with a chromium and silica layer. The contact is illuminated by a white light source directed down a microscope and through the glass disc. Part of the light is reflected from the chrome layer on the disc and part travels through the silica layer and any additive film and is reflected back from the steel ball. The recombining light paths form an interference image which is focused onto a high-resolution RGB camera. The camera image is captured by a digital frame grabber and can be analysed by the control software to determine a film thickness map of the contact. This allows film thickness measurements to be taken of any reaction films as they form.