Full definition
Abrasion resistance refers to a material's capability to withstand the gradual removal of surface material due to friction, sliding, or erosion. This property is crucial for industrial rubber products, where wear and tear can significantly impact performance and longevity. The measurement of abrasion resistance is typically conducted using the ASTM D5963 standard, which employs a rotary drum method. In this test, a rubber sample is pressed against a rotating drum that is covered with abrasive paper of known calibration. The result is quantified as the volume loss of the material in mm³, with a lower value indicating better abrasion resistance. An alternative method for evaluating abrasion resistance is ASTM D394, known as the Pico abrasion test, which provides additional insights into the material's durability under different conditions.
Materials are ranked based on their abrasion resistance performance, with polyurethane (PU) typically leading the pack with a volume loss range of 20-50 mm³. This is followed by natural rubber (NR) with 80-120 mm³, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) at 100-200 mm³, and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) with a loss of 150-300 mm³. Neoprene (CR) and nitrile (NBR) have comparable values of 150-250 mm³ and 100-250 mm³ respectively, while silicone (VMQ) has the highest volume loss, averaging 200-400+ mm³. For specific applications such as conveyor belt covers, the ISO 14890 standard establishes abrasion classes: H (≤120 mm³), D (≤150 mm³), and L (≤200 mm³), which help in selecting the appropriate material for varying operational environments.
The relationship between abrasion resistance and other material properties is significant. A strong correlation exists between abrasion resistance and tensile strength, resilience, and the amount of carbon black loading. While PU excels in fine-particle sliding abrasion, outperforming NR by 3-10 times, NR demonstrates superior performance in scenarios involving large-particle impact abrasion. Thus, understanding the specific application conditions, including factors such as particle size, hardness, impact angle, and moisture presence, is essential for making informed material choices in industrial settings.