Device and system for wear testing

A specimen for wear testing, the specimen comprising:

• a base;
• and
• a projection extending from the base along and about a specimen axis, the projection comprising an engagement surface that is planar and annular, and a projection exterior surface that is curved along the specimen axis;
• wherein the projection exterior surface defines an outer diameter of the projection, and wherein the outer diameter of the projection decreases non-linearly along the specimen axis from the base to the engagement surface.

A system for wear testing, the system comprising:

• a first specimen;
• a second specimen different from the first specimen;
• a device for wear testing, the device comprising:
• a frame having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
• a rotary actuator;
• a linear actuator spaced apart from the rotary actuator along the longitudinal axis;
• a first specimen holding unit comprising:
• a plate comprising:
• an engagement portion extending along the longitudinal axis, the engagement portion comprising:
• a first plate engagement surface that is planar and configured to engage with the first specimen;
• and
• a second plate engagement surface opposite to the first plate engagement surface, wherein the second plate engagement surface is spherically curved;
• and
• a mounting portion extending outwardly from the engagement portion along the transverse plane;
• a seat connected to the linear actuator, the seat comprising:
• a support portion extending along the longitudinal axis, the support portion comprising a plate support surface that is complementary with and configured to engage with the second plate engagement surface;
• and
• a coupling portion extending outwardly from the support portion along the transverse plane;
• a first flexible coupling connecting the mounting portion of the plate to the coupling portion of the seat;
• at least one first diaphragm plate connected to the frame;
• and
• a first thrust bearing connected to the plate and the at least one first diaphragm plate;
• a second specimen holding unit comprising:
• a shaft extending along the longitudinal axis and connected to the rotary actuator, wherein the shaft comprises:
• a shaft end face comprising a shaft engagement surface configured to engage with the second specimen;
• and
• a flange extending along the transverse plane and spaced apart from the shaft end face along the longitudinal axis;
• and
• a second thrust bearing connected to the frame and disposed between the flange of the shaft and the frame with respect to the longitudinal axis;
• wherein the rotary actuator is configured to rotate the second specimen about the longitudinal axis, and wherein the linear actuator is configured to move the first specimen along the longitudinal axis, such that the first specimen engages with the second specimen.