Taber abrasion testing is a standardized method to assess the wear resistance of plated surfaces and coatings under controlled abrasive conditions. It evaluates how well electroplated, electroless, or other surface treatments withstand repetitive mechanical wear, such as rubbing, scratching, or scraping. For plating companies, this test is essential to ensure coatings meet durability requirements and perform reliably in demanding applications.
As a process control lab serving NADCAP-accredited plating companies and NASF members, we understand the critical role abrasion testing plays in validating plating processes. Taber testing provides consistent, repeatable data to confirm that your coatings—whether cadmium, nickel, chrome, or anodized layers—resist wear effectively, preventing costly field failures or non-compliance with aerospace standards.
Why Taber Abrasion Testing Matters for Plating Companies
Plating companies rely on Taber abrasion testing to meet stringent NADCAP and customer requirements. Key benefits include:
- Coating Validation: Verifies that plated surfaces maintain integrity under mechanical wear, ensuring adhesion and thickness are sufficient for real-world use.
- Process Optimization: Identifies weaknesses in plating processes, such as inconsistent bath chemistry, inadequate curing, or poor surface preparation, enabling targeted improvements.
- NADCAP Compliance: Provides traceable data to meet NADCAP audit requirements and aerospace specifications, critical for plating companies serving aerospace and defense clients.
- Customer Confidence: Demonstrates to NASF members and their clients that plating processes produce durable, high-quality coatings, reducing liability and enhancing reputation.
How Abrasion Impacts Plated Surfaces
Plated components in aerospace and other industries face wear from:
- Mechanical Contact: Friction during handling, assembly, or operation.
- Environmental Abrasion: Exposure to dust, sand, or debris that erodes coatings.
- Process Variability: Inconsistent plating thickness, adhesion, or post-treatment that leads to premature coating failure.
For NADCAP-accredited platers, ensuring abrasion resistance is critical to meet aerospace standards and avoid costly rework or rejected parts.
How Omega Research Runs Taber Abrasion Testing
We perform Taber abrasion testing per ASTM D4060 and FED-STD-141 (Test Method 6192.1), tailored to the needs of plating companies. Our process ensures accurate, repeatable results to support NADCAP compliance and process improvement:
- Sample Preparation: We test customer-supplied plated samples or prepare in-house specimens, ensuring proper cleaning and mounting to avoid contamination or test artifacts.
- Controlled Abrasion: Samples are mounted on a rotating Taber platform, with calibrated abrasive wheels (e.g., CS-10, CS-17, or H-18) selected based on the plating type (e.g., nickel, cadmium, anodizing) and specification. A standard load (500g or 1000g) is applied for a specified number of cycles (e.g., 100 to 10,000).
- Environmental Control: Tests are conducted in a controlled environment to eliminate variables like temperature or humidity, ensuring consistent results for plated surfaces.
- Evaluation: Post-test analysis includes:
- Weight Loss Measurement: Quantifying material loss to assess coating durability.
- Visual and Microscopic Inspection: Checking for wear-through, scratches, delamination, or substrate exposure.
- Performance Metrics: Calculating wear cycles per mil of coating thickness or other metrics per ASTM D4060 to quantify plating performance.
- Process Insights: For samples that underperform, we analyze results to identify issues like insufficient plating thickness, poor adhesion, or improper post-plating baking, providing actionable recommendations to optimize your process and interpreting results.
We offer comparative testing to evaluate different plating chemistries, thicknesses, or treatments, helping you refine processes for better wear resistance. Each test includes a detailed, NADCAP-compliant report with cycle count, wheel type, load, weight loss, visual findings, and process improvement suggestions with your test results.
Our Taber Abrasion Testing Capabilities for Plating Companies
Omega is equipped to meet the unique needs of NADCAP-accredited plating companies and NASF members. Our capabilities include:
- Precision Equipment: Calibrated Taber abrading systems compliant with ASTM D4060 and FED-STD-141, ensuring reliable results.
- Plating Expertise: Extensive experience with electroplating, electroless plating, and anodizing, allowing us to tailor tests to specific coating types and substrates.
- NADCAP Traceability: Rigorous documentation and process controls to support NADCAP audits and aerospace customers
