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ForceBoard™ | Universal Friction Tester - Static & Dynamic COF measurements for all materials
ForceBoard™ is a highly versatile friction tester and tribometer used in laboratories and industry R&D departments world wide to evaluate static and dynamic friction, linear wear, and scratch properties of materials and surfaces. This page highlights its real-world applications, helping engineers, researchers, and quality control teams understand how to use the system effectively.
The applied load in a ForceBoard friction test is easily controlled via the included pivot loading arm that can be adapted to your specific test sample geometry and testing conditions can be both dry, lubricated or even submerged, single cycle or multi-cycle. You can even perform scratch and linear wear tests with your ForceBoard.
ForceBoard is an all-in-one friction testing platform - combining manual and motorized testing to unlock the full spectrum of static and dynamic friction measurements. For example, with ForceBoard you can test how the friction coefficient (COF) changes with the applied normal force in seconds. You can also test how the COF changes with the number of repeated testing cycles.
From advanced lab testing to something as simple as a finger swipe, ForceBoard turns friction into fast, actionable insight like never seen before.
ForceBoard™ Friction Tester measuring the static and dynamic coefficient of friction between two metal plates with high repeatability. In this case the ASTM D1894 testing standard is used.
See how a friction measurement can be made with ForceBoard™
Applications by Material Type
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Plastics & Polymers: Test coefficient of friction for packaging, automotive parts, and consumer goods.
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Mobile phones & Tablets: Interact with the devices and test true finger to device tactile friction
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Metals: Evaluate surface friction, wear resistance, and coating performance.
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Coatings & Films: Measure surface scratch resistance and dynamic friction under real conditions.
ADVANTAGES
- Static COF
- Dynamic COF
- Single & multiple stroke testing
- Dry, lubricated or submerged conditions
- All types of materials and geometries
- Static or increasing normal load testing
- Adjustable speed & stroke length
- Automatic static COF detection
- Optional data averaging for longer tests
- ASTM and R&D testing capability
- Excel, Matlab and AI compatible test data
Applications by Testing Type
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Static & Dynamic Friction Testing: Determine coefficients of friction for quality control or product development.
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Linear Wear Testing: Assess durability and surface wear over time.
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Scratch Testing: Evaluate surface integrity and resistance for coatings, films, and materials.
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Reciprocating Testing: Simulate real-world motion to measure friction under practical conditions.
Industry Use Cases
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Packaging & Consumer Products: Friction testing for material handling, surface coatings, and wear resistance.
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Medical Devices: Testing plastics, metals, and coatings for safety and reliability.
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Automotive: Brake components, interior materials, and coatings.
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Aerospace: Lightweight materials and high-performance coatings.
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Skincare: Test different topical formulations and hair care products
ForceBoard™ can easily be used for reciprocating friction testing
ForceBoard™ is also used for submerged friction testing
ForceBoard™ can measure friction between any two objects! Tests can also be rapidly made with a varying vertical force to investigate there is a normal force dependency on the COF.
"The simple and unproblematic design of the ForceBoard™ friction tester allows measurements without any major instructions related to the function and operation of the apparatus.
This allows for independent investigation and understanding of the complex area of friction without any constraints."
- Institute for Machine Elements, University of Stuttgart, Germany
Why buy a ForceBoard™ system?
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Really easy to use
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Robust & reliable
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Very versatile
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Cost efficient
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Modularized
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Portable
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100% guarantee included
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Open Windows software
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Excel compatible data
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Full support included
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Built in calibration
- USB connected
See how a scratch and friction test can be made with ForceBoard™
V-bar assembly for heavy load friction testing, capable of up to 8kg of applied vertical load!
The measuring principle used in ForceBoard is patented and utilizes full 2D force sensing, meaning that is continuosly monitors both friction and normal forces and calculates the COF in real time for any normal force, even a varying one. This is the most accurate and versatile method there is for measuring static and dynamic coefficients of friction.
The included software ForceBoard™ Analyzer
ForceBoard™ is a modularized measurement system and can be used for a wide range of test applications, here's a few of them:
Friction is a complex system parameter with multiple dependencies which is very difficult to accurately extract from a table of data created by someone else, that is the reason why a friction measurement and a friction tester is needed to measure the coefficient of friction (both the static coefficient of friction and the dynamic coefficient of friction) for your specific combination of materials. ForceBoard™ does that faster, easier and more cost efficient than any other friction tester or tribometer on the market!