FAQ's

How often, and is it necessary to have my abraser calibrated?

The Taber^® Rotary Platform Abraser is a precision test instrument. To ensure your test results are accurate, Taber recommends that you have your Abraser calibrated on an annual basis. Instruments must be returned to the factory for calibration. To verify calibration during the year, a Calibration Verification Kit is available.

What is the speed of the turntable?

The Model 5135 and 5155 offer both 60 and 72 rpm turntable speeds. The turntable speed on previous versions of the Taber Abraser was dependent on the electrical line frequency. At 60Hz, the turntable speed was 72 rpm and at 50 Hz the turntable speed was 60 rpm.

The test results are different than I expected, why?

There are many factors that can influence test results. For consistent test results, it is imperative that you test the same each and every time. Some potential causes of test variation include: operator error; changes in environmental conditions; static build-up; improper test set-up; failure to resurface wheels; variation in specimens; different vacuum pick-up nozzle height; full vacuum collection bag; etc.

How do I determine what height to set the vacuum pick-up nozzle?

The height of the vacuum pick-up nozzle is normally set between 1/8" and 1/4". The intent is to remove the abraded material. If the nozzle is set too close, you run the risk of lifting flexible test specimen and preventing sufficient cooling of the vacuum motor. If the nozzle is set too high, the suction may not be great enough to remove the abradant material.

My specimens are greater than ¼" thick, can I still use the abraser?

Specimens up to ½" thick can be tested on the Taber Abraser with the S-21 Extension Nut. An arm height extension kit [part# 132160] is available and permits the testing of specimens up to 40mm (requires return of abraser for modification).

What is the proper method for changing specimen tables?

Turntables can be removed by placing your fingers under the table (180° apart), and gently lifting straight up. A spring-loaded retention mechanism locks the turntable onto the motor drive shaft. The upward pressure will release the retention mechanism. NOTE: The drive shaft and holder bores are machined to precise tolerances; never force the removal of a holder as it may result in damage.

Can I use my abraser to run wet tests?

Yes - using the Rimmed Specimen Holder (model E-140-75), you can determine the effect of absorbed and or surface moisture on abrasion resistance.

What criteria should I use to select which wheels to use?

Under normal conditions, the general rule of thumb is, a load and wheel combination should run a minimum of 300 cycles on a material before the end point occurs. Otherwise, the test may be too harsh. If you are following a specific test standard, the wheel may be called out.

What are the differences between Calibrase^® and Calibrade^® wheels?

Calibrase wheels are composed of resilient binder and aluminum oxide or silicon carbide abrasive particles. Typical uses include testing rigid specimens.
Calibrade are non-resilient wheels composed of vitrified (clay) and silicon carbide or aluminum oxide abrasive particles. They are often used to test flexible specimens.

How many tests can be performed with a pair of wheels?

The wear life of a wheel varies with the surface texture and frictional characteristics of the material tested. Under ordinary conditions, they can provide 10,000 to 50,000 wear cycles. Abnormally short wheel life may indicate incorrect wheel or load selection, too frequent refacing or improper procedure. The wheels have been designed to operate until worn down to a minimum of 1 ¾" (outside edge of label).

Is there a shelf life on the wheels?

There is no shelf life on Calabrade^® wheels. However, due to their composition, Calabrase^® wheels should be used before the expiration date printed on them. For CS-10F, the shelf life is 2 years. For CS-10 and CS-17, the shelf life is 4 years. NOTE: Shelf life is dependent on proper storage conditions.

How often do I reface my Calibrase^® wheels?

Before using a new set of Calibrase^® wheels, two refacings of 50 cycles each are recommended to ensure perfect contact of abrading faces with specimen surface.

Before each test, reface previously used wheels 25 (for short tests on similar material) or 50 cycles (for tests of 1000 cycles or more, or for unlike material).

How do I reface my Calibrase^® wheels?

Calibrase wheels typically are refaced with the S-11 refacing disc or the ST-11 refacing stone. For refacing, use the same weight on the abrading arms as in testing, and adjust the vacuum pick-up nozzle height to ¼".

As the wheels are used, they slowly disintegrate and continually expose fresh abrasive grains. In testing certain materials however, the wheel faces may become clogged as a result of the adhesive character of particles worn off the specimen thereby changing the abrasive characteristics of the wheel. To correct this, reface the wheels. Color changes may occur when the wheel faces become coated with fine abradings. This is a normal condition, and should not be confused with clogging.

The resilient composition of these wheels makes them subject to slight changes of form. When operating the abraser, out of round wheels may be detected by the slight up and down movement of the abrading arm. This condition can be corrected with the Diamond Wheel Refacer. NOTE: Truing Calibrase^® wheels on the Diamond Wheel Refacer will remove some of the abrasive grain from the wheel faces. To re-establish the normal abrasion coefficient, each wheel set should be given two refacings of 50 cycles each using the S-11 refacing discs.

How often do I reface my Calibrade^® wheels?

Calibrade^® wheels are diamond trued before leaving the factory. Unless the wheels show indications of being out of round, crowned or clogged with abraded material, they can be used continuously without further refacing.

Taber recommends refacing previously used Calibrade^® wheels whenever starting a new test, changing to different test material, and whenever there is a tendency for the working surface of the wheels to pick up excess materials.

How do I reface my Calibrade^® wheels?

The Diamond Wheel Refacer is used to precisely dress Calibrade^® wheels. Wheels may be refaced as often as required, down to the minimum usable diameter of 1 ¾" as indicated on the wheel label.

Why did the color of the CS-10F wheels change?

In late 2002, Taber introduced an improved version of the CS-10F wheel. Those customers performing haze measurements discovered that the wheel left a residue on the specimen surface. Taber eliminated this residue by making a slight adjustment to the formulation, however it also caused the haze values to increase on certain materials. During 2004, Taber conducted an extensive study to reformulate the improved CS-10F wheels so the results would match the old style wheels. To avoid further confusion in the marketplace, the wheel color was changed to easily distinguish this reformulated wheel.

The useful life of a S-11 Refacing Disc is only 1 refacing. Regardless whether the disc has been used for 25 or 50 cycles, the refacing disc should be discarded. Refacing with a used disc may change the wear coefficient of the wheel faces, and invalidate your test results.

I am using the CS-0 wheels with S-33 or S-42 sandpaper, and find that glue sticks to the wheels.

NEMA test method LD3 recommends using a light dusting of zinc stearate to rectify this situation. Another alternative is to use a light dusting of talc powder.

Is there an easy way to prepare specimens for the Taber Abraser?

Taber offers the Model 5000 Sample cutter that will cut a 5 ¼" circle in many materials and punch a ¼" center hole.

What material can I use on the Model 5000 Sample Cutter?

Applications include paper, cardboard, fabric, leather, linoleum, flexible plastics, carpet, films, and thin metals.