--- type: "WebPage" title: "Laboratory friction testing" description: "You would like to carry out friction testing on your coatings What is friction testing? A friction testing, also known as a tribological test, is a test that assesses how two surfaces interact when they slide against each other. The..." resource: "https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization/laboratory-friction-testing/" tags: ["EN", "pll_686e7ba00dd8a", "Thomas GAUTIER"] timestamp: "2025-12-31T08:32:25Z" published: "2025-07-09T15:17:07Z" language: "en" author: "Laure Durieux" --- # Laboratory friction testing ## You would like to carry out friction testing on your coatings ### What is friction testing? A **friction testing**, also known as a [**tribological test**](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization/tribology-in-laboratory-surface-analysis.md), is a test that assesses how two surfaces interact when they slide against each other. The aim is to measure parameters such as : - The coefficient of friction: this is the main indicator obtained. It represents the resistance to sliding between two materials. A low coefficient indicates that the materials slide easily; a high coefficient indicates that there is a lot of resistance (and therefore potential wear). - Material wear: some tests measure the loss of material (volume or mass) due to friction, to assess the durability of a coating or material. ### Why carry out coating friction tests? To guarantee the performance of a coating in a variety of industrial applications, it is essential to carry out appropriate friction tests. Objectives of coating friction testing - **Evaluate the coefficient of friction**: measure the coating's ability to reduce friction, a key criterion for optimising mechanical performance. - **Analyse wear resistance**: test the durability of the coating under variable load, speed and temperature conditions. - **Optimise adhesion**: check the adhesion of the coating to its substrate to avoid any risk of delamination in real-life conditions. - **Understand the evolution of the coating**: study the behaviour of the DLC over the long term, particularly in the event of repeated rubbing. - **Adapt the coating to specific conditions of use**: adjust the composition of the DLC and its deposition parameters according to the application environment (automotive, medical, aerospace, etc.). Industrial applications of friction testing - **Automotive**: optimising engine parts to reduce energy losses due to friction. - **Medical devices**: improving the durability of implants and surgical tools. - **Aerospace**: protecting components subjected to extreme loads. - **Precision engineering**: guaranteed performance for bearings, gears and other moving parts. ## The FILAB laboratory, an expert in surface characterization, carries out coating friction testing ### Why choose FILAB for your friction testing? To assess the tribological performance of a coating, it is essential to rely on an **expert laboratory** with **state-of-the-art equipment** and a **tailor-made approach**. At the **Filab** laboratory, we put our expertise and advanced technologies at our customers’ disposal to guarantee reliable analysis tailored to industrial needs. ## our services [Roughness measurement](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization/surface-roughness-analysis/surface-roughness-measurement.md) [Measurement of elasticity](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/plastics-processing-polymers/laboratory-measurement-of-elasticity-on-polymers.md) Optimisation of [coatings](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization/laboratory-surface-coating-characterization.md) [Surface analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-sem-scanning-electron-microscopy/laboratory-of-surface-analysis-by-scanning-electron-microscope-sem.md) [Hardness measurement](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/mechanical-laboratory-test/hardness-analysis-and-measurement-laboratory.md) Measurement of the coefficient of friction Identification of [wear](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-failures/laboratory-analysis-wear.md) mechanisms [Surface coatings characterization](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization/laboratory-surface-coating-characterization.md) ## Our technical resources [### SEM-EDX](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-sem-scanning-electron-microscopy.md) [### Raman Spectroscopy](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-raman-spectroscopy.md) [### AFM ](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/atomic-force-microscopy-afm-laboratory.md) [### Tribology](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization/tribology-in-laboratory-surface-analysis.md) [### Profilometry](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization/laboratory-profilometry-analysis.md) ## FAQ What is the purpose of a friction analysis? It is used to : - Compare the performance of different materials or coatings. - Qualify a new surface treatment. - Understand a failure (seizure, abrasion, overheating, etc.) - Meet normative or functional requirements (medical devices, automotive, cosmetics, etc.). What types of materials can be analysed? All types of materials can be analysed: metals, polymers, ceramics, composites, coatings (PVD, DLC, PTFE, etc.). Tests can be carried out on finished parts, standardised specimens or specific surfaces as required. When does a friction analysis come into play in a project? - **In the R&D phase**: to compare several technical solutions - **In the validation phase**: to guarantee product conformity - **In the event of non-compliance or failure in use**: to understand the causes and adjust the material or coating. What is the difference between static and dynamic friction? - **Static friction**: the force required to initiate movement between two surfaces. - **Dynamic (or kinetic) friction**: the force required to maintain this movement once it has been initiated. A significant difference between the two may indicate a risk of seizure or jerking. Is friction analysis useful in the event of non-compliance? Absolutely. In the event of premature wear, abnormal noise, mechanical blockage or loss of performance, a friction test coupled with surface analysis (SEM, XPS, profilometry) can : - Identify the origin of the failure - Determine whether the problem lies with the material, the coating or the operating environment - Help define corrective or preventive action Which sectors make the most use of these analysis? - Medical devices (implants, surgical tools) - Automotive & transport (engine parts, suspension systems, braking systems) - Cosmetics (sensory testing of packaging, sticks, caps) - Energy (electrical contacts, moving parts in aggressive environments) - Luxury & watchmaking (technical coatings on moving parts) Can friction analysis be combined with other tests? Exactly. Tribological testing is often combined with : - Corrosion tests (friction + wet or salty environment) - Thermal tests (to simulate hot use) - Post-test chemical analysis (to observe wear, residues and degradation) What is the difference between a friction test and an adhesion test? - The friction test measures the resistance between two moving surfaces. - The adhesion test measures the ability of a coating to remain attached to its substrate (peeling, scratch test, etc.). The two are complementary in the characterisation of technical coatings.