Advanced Rhelogy: Most materials are viscoelastic, i.e., they exhibit both viscous and elastic properties upon deformation. This also holds true for most materials studied at the CoSAXS and ForMAX beamlines. While the mechanical response can be measured by a rheometer, a mechanistic understanding often requires simultaneous characterization of the underlying microstructure by means of x-ray scattering or other structural probes.
Advanced Tribomaterials and Lubrication: Most materials in contact are subject to friction, wear, and lubrication — the core concerns in the science of tribology. While macroscopic tribological behaviour can be measured by a tribometer, interpretations are often limited to post-mortem characterisation of the used lubricant and surfaces in contact. A mechanistic understanding therefore often requires simultaneous characterisation of the underlying microstructure by means of x-ray scattering or other structural probes. This holds especially true for tribomaterials and lubrication systems studied at the CoSAXS and ForMAX beamlines.
Through a cooperation initiated by Luleå University of Technology, Chalmers University, and MAX IV, we provide advanced tribological testing combined with small- and wide-angle x-ray scattering (SWAXS) at the CoSAXS, ForMAX, and DanMAX beamlines. The aim of the collaboration is to grow the user community by outreach and development of novel, advanced in-situ tribological testing for MAX IV’s users. Due to the complex nature of these experiments, where we run several experimental modalities in parallel that each require specific expertise, we can only offer this capability to our users in collaboration with scientists in charge at MAX-IV, Luleå University of Technology and Rheology & Processing of Soft Matter, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden.
