MFT-5000 Multi Function Tribometer
General Information
Unit
CNR - ICMATETechnique
Key Instrumentation
Multifunction TribometerThe Multifunction Tribometer MFT‑5000, located at the CNR‑ICMATE unit, is a modular and highly versatile platform designed for advanced tribological characterization across nano, micro, and macro scales. It enables precise measurement of friction, wear, adhesion, and mechanical surface properties under controlled and application‑relevant conditions. The system supports a wide range of test geometries, including ball‑on‑flat, pin‑on‑flat, and reciprocating configurations, making it suitable for both thin coatings and bulk engineering materials.
The instrument integrates dedicated modules for tribocorrosion testing, combining mechanical loading with electrochemical control to investigate the synergistic degradation mechanisms occurring in aggressive or reactive environments. This capability allows researchers to simulate real operating conditions for metals, ceramics, polymers, and protective coatings. The platform also includes scratch and progressive‑load testing, enabling quantitative evaluation of coating adhesion, interfacial toughness, and failure mechanisms.
With high‑frequency operation up to 80 Hz, the MFT‑5000 is well suited for fretting, oscillatory motion, and dynamic wear studies, supporting the analysis of fatigue‑driven damage and micro‑slip phenomena. Interchangeable test modules allow rapid reconfiguration, while experiments can be conducted in dry or lubricated environments, including controlled liquid media.
The system offers temperature control up to 500 °C, enabling the study of thermally activated wear processes and high‑temperature material behavior. This combination of flexibility, environmental control, and multi‑scale measurement capability makes the MFT‑5000 a comprehensive solution for research and industrial tribology applications.
Technical description
The Multifunction Tribometer at the CNR‑ICMATE unit is an advanced tribological testing platform designed for comprehensive characterization of bulk materials and surface‑engineered components.
– Its modular architecture supports multiple contact configurations, including ball‑on‑flat and pin‑on‑flat setups, enabling precise friction and wear measurements under controlled and reproducible conditions.
– The system integrates dedicated scratch‑testing modules for evaluating coating adhesion and interfacial mechanical integrity, as well as high‑frequency fretting capabilities reaching up to 80 Hz for dynamic wear investigations.
– Tribocorrosion studies are facilitated through the incorporation of electrochemical cells, allowing simultaneous mechanical and electrochemical monitoring.
– The instrument operates across a broad normal‑load range from 0.25 to 200 N and accommodates sliding speeds between 0.001 and 50 mm/s.
– Samples with lateral dimensions from 15 to 40 mm can be mounted, supporting diverse material classes and geometries.
– Testing can be performed in dry or liquid environments, with temperature control up to 500 °C for simulating harsh service conditions.
– The platform enables multiscale analysis and robust correlation between mechanical response, wear mechanisms, and environmental effects effects under controlled and reproducible conditions, making it a versatile tool for researchers and industrial partners engaged in materials development and surface enginResearch areas and applications
The platform supports research and characterization activities in tribology, surface engineering, and functional materials, enabling the investigation of friction, wear, adhesion, fretting, and tribocorrosion phenomena across multiple length scales. It is suited for the study of bulk materials, surface treatments, and thin-film coatings under controlled mechanical and environmental conditions. Key research areas include advanced coatings for mechanical components, biomedical and food-contact materials, corrosion- and wear-resistant surfaces, and materials for energy, aerospace, and transportation sectors. The system supports multi ASTM, DIN, and ISO tests on the same platform, allowing both standard and non-standard protocols to be performed on test coupons or real components. Its flexible configuration enables use as a single-function or multi-function system, making it suitable for material characterization, comparative studies, and quality control activities.
Science highlights
V. Zin, F. Montagner, S.M. Deambrosis, E. Miorin, N. Comisso, M. Rancan, E. Paradisi, C. Mortalò, High power impulse magnetron sputtering plasma nitriding of biomedical grade CoCrMo alloy, Materials & Design 252 (2025) 113802. Doi: 10.1016/j.matdes.2025.113802
A. Togni, F. Montagner, E. Miorin, C. Mortalò, V. Zin, G. Bolelli, L. Lusvarghi, S. Frabboni, G.C. Gazzadi, L. Armelao, S.M. Deambrosis, Synthesis of AlxCoCrFeNi HEA thin films by high power impulse magnetron sputtering: Effect of substrate bias voltage, Surface and Coatings Technology, 496 (2025) 131644. Doi: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2024.131644
V. Zin, F. Montagner, S.M. Deambrosis, C. Mortalò, L. Litti, M. Meneghetti, E. Miorin, Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Ta-N and Ta-Al-N Coatings Deposited by Reactive High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering, Materials 15 (2022) 3354. Doi: 10.3390/ma1509335
Experimental team
- Valentina Zin
- CNR - ICMATE
- Enrico Miorin
- CNR - ICMATE
- Silvia Maria Deambrosis
- CNR - ICMATE