Taber Abrasion

What Is Taber Abrasion Testing?

Taber abrasion testing is one of the most widely used standardised methods for evaluating the wear resistance of flat material surfaces. The test uses a Taber Abraser instrument, which applies two rotating abrading wheels under controlled load onto a flat test specimen that rotates on a turntable. The progressive material removal caused by the abrasive wheels simulates the wear experienced by surfaces in service.

Taber abrasion testing applies to a broad range of materials, including plastics, rubber, coatings, textiles, paper, leather, laminates, glass, ceramics, and flooring materials. It is governed by standards including ASTM D4060, ISO 9352, and ASTM C1353.

Principle of the Taber Abrasion Test

A circular test specimen (typically 100 mm diameter with a central hole for mounting) is placed on the turntable. Two abrasive wheels — selected to match the wear mode relevant to the application — are lowered onto the specimen under a defined load (typically 250 g, 500 g, or 1000 g per wheel). As the turntable rotates, the wheels abrade the specimen surface in a crisscross pattern, creating an annular wear track.

The test is run for a defined number of cycles (typically 100–1000 cycles), and wear is quantified by:

• Weight loss (mg): Mass difference before and after testing
• Wear index: Weight loss per 1000 cycles, enabling normalised comparison between materials
• Haze increase: For transparent specimens, an increase in optical haze (ASTM D1044) after defined cycles

Abrasive Wheel Selection

The choice of the Taber wheel is critical to test relevance:

• CS-10 and CS-17 wheels: Calibrite abrasive — for general plastics, coatings, and laminates
• H-10 and H-18 wheels: Hard rubber — for flooring, leather, and resilient surfaces
• S-11 and S-42 wheels: Silicon carbide — for ceramics and hard, brittle materials

Key Parameters That Affect Taber Abrasion Results

Applied load, wheel type, rotation speed, number of cycles, specimen surface finish, and conditioning (temperature and humidity) all influence measured wear results. Strict adherence to the applicable standards’ conditioning requirements ensures reproducible, comparable data.

Industrial Applications of Taber Abrasion Testing

Protective Coatings and Paints

Floor coatings, automotive clearcoats, furniture lacquers, and industrial maintenance coatings are tested for abrasion resistance to predict their durability in service environments involving foot traffic, mechanical handling, or abrasive contact.

Plastics and Polymers

Taber abrasion data for engineering plastics (PC, ABS, nylon, UHMWPE) informs material selection for wear-critical components, including gears, cams, conveyor components, and consumer product casings.

Textiles and Floor Coverings

Carpets, vinyl flooring, leather, and coated fabrics are tested to predict their appearance retention and service life under foot traffic and abrasive contact.

Glass and Optical Coatings

ASTM D1044 uses the Taber test specifically to evaluate the abrasion resistance of transparent plastics — quantifying the increase in optical haze after a defined number of abrasion cycles. Anti-scratch coatings on eyewear lenses, display screens, and optical windows are routinely qualified using this method.

Limitations of Taber Abrasion Testing

While Taber testing provides reproducible, comparative data, its relevance to specific field wear mechanisms must be carefully validated. The Taber test simulates abrasive wear under sliding contact; it does not replicate erosive wear, impact wear, or tribocorrosion mechanisms.

Conclusion

Taber abrasion testing is a reliable and widely adopted method for evaluating the wear resistance of materials under controlled abrasive conditions. Simulating real-world surface wear through rotating abrasive wheels and defined loads, it provides consistent, comparable data for material selection, product development, and quality control. Although it does not replicate all wear mechanisms, it remains an essential tool for assessing durability across coatings, plastics, textiles, and optical materials, helping manufacturers ensure long-term performance in service environments.

Why Choose Infinita Lab for Taber Abrasion Testing?

Infinita Lab provides Taber abrasion testing per ASTM D4060, ASTM D1044, ISO 9352, and related standards through our nationwide accredited laboratory network. Our wear testing specialists select the optimal wheel type and test conditions for your material and application.

Looking for a trusted partner to achieve your research goals? Schedule a meeting with us, send us a request, or call us at (888) 878-3090 to learn more about our services and how we can support you.

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