Electrical Contacts and Engineered Plastics: Advanced Tribology Testing with UMT TriboLab

Advanced tribology testing for next-generation materials

This webinar will demonstrate how UMT TriboLab enables electromechanical characterization of dielectric contacts and tribological testing of engineered plastics. Presenters will discuss test configuration, load and motion control, and strategies to replicate real-world operating environments.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Measure electronic contact impedance during AC-electrified tribological tests
• Evaluate electrostatic charging and discharging in dielectric contacts
• Assess friction and wear of thrust washers made from engineered plastics

This webinar will feature two presentations that cover the use of Bruker’s UMT TriboLab for advanced electromechanical and tribological characterization. The first part focuses on electrical measurements during tribological testing, including contact impedance under AC electrification and electrostatic charging and discharging in dielectric contacts. The second part highlights testing methodologies for thrust washers made from advanced engineered plastics, with an emphasis on friction, wear, and performance under controlled conditions. Together, these approaches demonstrate how UMT TriboLab enables comprehensive evaluation of next-generation materials across demanding applications.

Tribology, Electricity, and the UMT TriboLab

This talk will cover the utilization of Bruker’s UMT TriboLab for a wide range of electromechanical characterization procedures, from electronic contact impedance measurements during AC-electrified tribological tests, to the measurement of electrostatic charging and discharging in dielectric contacts.

Tribological Evaluation of Advanced Plastics for Thrust Washer Applications

The growing use of advanced plastics in demanding applications is driving the need for reliable tribological evaluation methods. This talk focuses on testing approaches for thrust washers made from engineered polymers, emphasizing friction and wear performance under controlled conditions. Key aspects include test configuration, load and motion control, and strategies to replicate real-world operating environments using UMT TriboLab systems. The session highlights how these methods support material development, performance validation, and long-term reliability across industries. 

Presenter: Joshua Armitage, Ph.D. (Lecturer in Surface Engineering & Tribology Institute of Functional Surfaces)

Dr. Josh Armitage is a Lecturer in Surface Engineering & Tribology at the University of Leeds as part of the Institute of Functional Surfaces (iFS), the Bragg Centre for Materials Research, and the Material Systems for Demanding Environments research area of the Henry Royce Institute. His research specialises in electro-mechanical & mechano-chemical interfacial phenomena, including triboelectric charging and the influence of varied electronic potentials on tribological & tribo-chemical processes. Josh primarily focusses on the development & synergy of electronic characterization methodologies such as electronic impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning-tunnelling spectroscopy (STS), and induction-based measurements of electrostatic charge as part of the UKRI EPSRC Triboelectrification research project.

Presenter: Sai Krishna Kancharla, Ph.D. (Tribology Applications Scientist)

Dr. Sai Krishna Kancharla, is a Tribology Applications Scientist at Bruker, specializing in friction, wear, and surface characterization. He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and brings extensive experience in tribological testing, failure analysis, SEM, XRD, and surface metrology across automotive, coatings, and manufacturing industries. Prior to Bruker, Sai worked as a Design Engineering Intern at Tesla, developing anti-corrosive coatings for EV brake rotors, and as a Scientist at PureForge, where he led PVD coating development and thin film characterization. He has published in SAE Technical Papers and is a recipient of the SAE Myers Award for Outstanding Student Paper.