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UST® – Universal Surface Tester
Adequate measurements are of great importance for a reliable simulation and evaluation of micromechanical properties of materials and surface coatings, such as deformation or haptics. As material and coating behaviour can vary considerably, a series of proper, real-time, quantitative measurements have to be performed with high resolution in the right dimension.
UST®-Universal Surface Tester, is by far the only open multi-modular system that provides a complete mechanical testing solution for the evaluation of bulk materials and surface coatings. Its unique configuration allows for a wide range of tip choices with various materials and sizes ranging from nanometer to centimeter.
Among various kinds of commercial available in-line material property testing instruments, UST® is by far the only tester which close the gap between the traditional macro-mechanical testing machines and nanoscale machines, e.g. nano-indentator and AFMs.
UST®
- One machine for all tests
- Same resolution (60nm)
- No need for correlation
- Local resolution
- Continuous measurement
- Surface structure combined with properties
Other Systems
- One machine for one type measurement
- Different resolution
- Need for further correlation
- No record with local resolution
- Point by point measurement
- No surface structure vs. properties
Measurement Principles
The UST® measurement procedure consists of a mechanically scanning by a stylus on the sample surface along a straight line several times. During this patented MISTAN procedure, the stylus is moved on the surface either without load or with a defined load.
- Scan with no load. Surface structure is continuously determined.
- Scan on the same path with additional load to determine total deformation.
- Scan on the same path with no load to determine the elastistic deformation.
- Total deformation = Step 1-Step 2;
- Elastic deformation = Step 3-Step 2;
- Permanent deformation = Step 1-Step 3
Basic Unit
UST®-100 with load range of 1 mN-100 mN
UST®-1000 with load range of 10 mN-1,000 mN for harder surfaces and coatings
Modules
A selection of 10 different modules is available for all types of measurements and applications. Each module includes all necessary hardware, software, suggested tip and necessary tools.
- 3D Deformation
- 3D Topography
- Scratch
- Microfriction (Standard)
- Abrasion and Wear
- Damping
- Viscoelasticity (Creeping & Recovery)
- Universal Hardness
- 2D Roughness
- TAX
Hardware Options
- Exchangable Measurement Head: UST 100 mN and UST 1000 mN
- Microscope: for documentation of the measurement process and results (photo function)
- Videocamera: for documentation of the measurement process and results (video function)
- Optical 3D Topography Module: non-tactile optical measurement of 3D topography
- Vacuum Plate Package: for fixing samples. Vacuum pump is included.
- Mini-Clamping Tool Set: fixing tool for harder samples
- Quick Plates: for easy and quick fixture of samples
Tip Options
Various sizes, geometries, customized tip available upon request
