Revisiting an Indentation Method for Measuring Low Wear Rates Using 3D Interferometry

Predicting the wear of disc cutters in Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) is a complex challenge due to the large scale of the machinery and the numerous operational variables involved. Laboratory-scale tests offer a controlled approach to isolating and analyzing specific wear mechanisms. However, the extremely low wear rates observed in such simulations pose challenges for conventional characterization methods, as gravimetric and profilometric techniques often lack the precision and accuracy needed to measure low wear patterns with an uneven morphology. To address this, this study revisited a methodology for quantifying low wear rates in a reciprocating wear test using AISI H13 tool steel disc cutters. This approach integrates spherical indentation marks as reference points with 3D white-light interferometry, enabling high-precision material loss measurements. Eighteen disc samples were subjected to wear testing, with 3 indentations analyzed per sample, for a total of 54 indentations. The statistical validation confirmed the method’s reproducibility and reliability. The proposed approach provides a robust alternative to existing techniques, addressing a critical gap regarding the accurate quantification of low wear rates in controlled laboratory settings.