DYNAMIC STIFFNESS ANALYSIS IN TRIBOCONTACT

This paper defines dynamic stiffness and describes its significance in tribotest apparatus. Further, a methodology is developed whereby alternative tribotester designs can be compared for performance in this area of dynamic stiffness or response. Finally, two specific designs, a governor mechanism and a lever-dead-weight system, are compared. In this, the governor mechanism appears to offer two primary advantages as compared with the lever-dead-weight load application mechanism-namely, the governor returns considerably more quickly to an equilibrium configuration when a wear event perturbs the normal operating conditions, and the governor provides a means by which wear tests can be conducted at easily varying contact stiffnesses.