A new benchmark in traction and wear characterisation

The performance of contemporary lubricants depends on their chemical formulation and how they respond under real-world mechanical conditions. Paltro’s MTT 2.0 provides a versatile platform for investigating friction and wear under rolling-sliding motion. This state-of-the-art instrument combines precision measurement, modular adaptability, and advanced sensing in a single benchtop system. Built on the UniTest-150 open platform, its capabilities goes beyond conventional mini traction machines. It enables labs to explore fretting, offering insight to stick-slip behaviour, and 3D surface profilometry, for quantifying tribofilm formation and wear, without compromising space or workflow efficiency.

Modularity lies at the heart of MTT 2.0. Interchangeable force sensors and configurable motion drives enable independent operation for rolling-sliding, fretting, and linear reciprocation tests. It operates within dedicated modules for oils, greases and corrosive fluids. This flexibility enables testing for different applications such as soft contacts and biomedical materials, as well as harder coatings and components found in bearings, gears, and railways. 

Ease of operation complements the MTT 2.0’s technical capabilities. The guided software interface enables fully automated test sequences. This includes in-built Traction and Stribeck protocols, with programmable sweep of slide-roll (SRR) and entrainment speed parameters for rapid lubricant characterisation. A 3D non-contact profilometer can be fitted to quantify ball and disc wear with high accuracy. In addition, inline sensors, including electrical contact resistance and acoustic emission, provide real-time insight into frictional events and surface interactions that enable a better understanding of the mechanisms that affect lubricant performance.

The modular design ensures that upgrades or adaptations, such as adding new sensors and imaging heads, can be implemented without disrupting existing workflows. This provides laboratories with flexibility for their current needs and future developments. By integrating modular motion, multi-scale sensing, and advanced surface imaging into a single platform, the MTT 2.0 delivers a powerful, flexible solution for friction and wear testing. For labs developing lubricants, coatings, and materials, it offers unsurpassed precision, adaptability, and insight. The MTT 2.0 helps researchers understand performance under conditions that closely replicate real-world applications.