Pico abrader

The Pico abrader is specified in D222857. This device uses a pair of tungsten carbide knives which rub the test piece whilst it rotates on a turntable. The direction of rotation is reversed at intervals throughout a test and a dusting powder is fed to the test piece surface, which doubtless helps to avoid stickiness. The apparatus is calibrated by the use of no less than five standard rubbers and the result also expressed as an abrasion index. Force on the test piece and speed of rotation can be varied and, presumably, different abradant geometries could be used, although the distinctive feature of the Pico is the use of blunt metal knives in the presence of a powder. 

ASTM D2228, 2002. Relative abrasion resistance by the Pico abrader method. 

ASTM D2228 Standard test method for rubber property-relative abrasion resistance by the pico abrader method... 

For the Pico Abrader test, a pair of mngsten carbide knives of specified geometry and controlled sharpness are rubbed over the surface of apeUet-shaped sample in a rotary fashion under controlled conditions (load, speed, and time). The volume loss of the test specimen is measured and compared to that of a reference compound (ASTM D 2228). 

Abrasion resistance D2228 Rubber property—abrasion resistance (PICO Abrader) 9.01... 

The DIN abrader is quite widely used in Europe but finds little support in the USA. where the standard method is the PICO test described in ASTM D2228. In this method, abrasion is caused by two tungsten carbide knives, with a dusting powder applied to engulf abraded rubber particles. 

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