schuiftests

Schuiftests, also called sliding tests, are a class of experimental procedures used to characterize sliding and shear behavior at interfaces between materials. They aim to quantify how much tangential force is required to initiate and sustain sliding under a given normal load, yielding parameters such as static and kinetic friction coefficients, and wear characteristics.

In a typical schuiftest, a specimen is placed in contact with a counterface under a controlled normal load. A motorized actuator applies a tangential force or displacement, while sensors measure forces and displacements. Tests can be conducted in controlled environmental conditions and may involve lubricants, coatings, or surface treatments to study their effects. Common variants include direct shear tests, inclined-plane tests, and pin-on-disk (or pin-on-plate) configurations. Data analysis often focuses on the friction coefficient μ = F_t / F_n, the onset of sliding, and the evolution of friction and wear with distance or time. Stick-slip behavior and contact aging may also be observed.

Applications of schuiftests span tribology, materials development, and quality control. They are used to compare coatings and lubricants, evaluate adhesion, study soil or rock shear strength in geotechnical engineering, and assess wear resistance of mechanical components. Limitations include sensitivity to surface roughness, environmental conditions, and test geometry, which can affect reproducibility and the transfer of results between setups.