Universal Friction Tester | ForceBoard™ System Applications
ForceBoard™ System is a highly versatile friction tester and tribometer used in laboratories and industry R&D departments to evaluate static and dynamic friction, wear, and scratch properties of a wide variety 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.
ForceBoard is the all-in-one friction testing platform - combining manual and motorized testing to unlock the full spectrum of static and dynamic friction analysis. Measure how the friction coefficient (COF) changes with normal force in seconds, not hours. From advanced lab testing to something as simple as a finger swipe, ForceBoard turns friction into fast, actionable insight.
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.
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™ Friction Tester measuring the static and dynamic coefficient of friction between two metal plates with high repeatability.
- Static COF
- Dynamic COF
- Single & multiple stroke testing
- 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
- Excel and Matlab compatible test data
See how a friction measurement can be made with ForceBoard™
"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
ForceBoard™ can easily be used for reciprocating 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.
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee included
- Worldwide delivery
Pivot loading arm for friction testing, test objects are secured to the arm via set-screws, a weight disc placed over the loading arm is then used to generate a static vertical / normal force.
See how a scratch and friction test can be made with ForceBoard™
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
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!