Abrasion resistance
Abrasion resistance, also known as wear resistance, describes a material's ability to withstand mechanical stress, particularly friction and surface abrasion. Excessive abrasion can result in material degradation and a shortened service life, making high abrasion resistance essential for durable and resilient components. This property is especially critical for solid and often rough surfaces that are regularly exposed to mechanical loads and abrasive conditions.
- Wear resistance
Test method for abrasion classes
The abrasion resistance of a material is measured using standardized abrasion tests. During these tests, the material is exposed to specific abrasive frictional loads such as grinding or sandblasting to evaluate its resistance to wear and surface degradation.
The results of these tests are used to classify materials into different abrasion classes and help identify suitable options for specific applications. In industries such as automotive engineering, manufacturing and aerospace, materials that are resistant to abrasion, heat and corrosion are essential to withstand long-term mechanical loads and environmental influences.
Abrasion-resistant suction cups
Abrasion resistance is a decisive factor for the performance and service life of suction cups in vacuum technology. These suction cups are used to safely grip and move workpieces, where they are regularly exposed to mechanical loads, abrasion and abrasive influences.
The surface properties of the suction cup play an important role here, as they influence the sealing effect and the leakage rate. A sealing material with high abrasion resistance reduces wear and ensures that suction cups retain their shape, function and sealing performance over time, even under intensive stress and at high speeds. Adapted abrasion resistance can also reduce maintenance requirements and optimize the overall service life of the suction cups.
Abrasion-resistant materials for industrial applications
To ensure the abrasion resistance of suction cups, wear-resistant materials such as elastomers and plastics are used. Materials such as polyurethane (PU), silicone or nitrile rubber (NBR) have proven particularly effective, as they can withstand mechanical stress as well as chemical and thermal influences. Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) offer a high degree of flexibility combined with a long service life. The choice of suitable material depends on the specific requirements of automated processes, such as the type of surface of the workpiece or the ambient conditions.