ASTM F1978-22 PDF

Full title and description

Standard Test Method for Measuring Abrasion Resistance of Metallic Thermal Spray Coatings by Using the Taber Abraser (ASTM F1978‑22). This test method defines a Taber Abraser-based procedure to quantify the abrasion resistance and particle-shedding tendency of metallic thermal-spray coatings applied to flat metallic substrates — often used for characterization of coatings applied to surgical implants and other engineered metallic surfaces.

Abstract

ASTM F1978‑22 specifies a laboratory procedure using a Taber Abraser (rotating specimen against two opposing abrasive wheels with vacuum debris removal) to produce reproducible wear on metallic thermal-spray coatings. The test reports abrasion as accumulated mass loss (and/or visual/optical assessment of particle shedding) under defined wheel type, head load and revolutions, and is intended for flat, rigid specimens that do not chemically or physically transform between ambient and 100 °C.

General information

• Status: Current (active ASTM standard, most recent revision published 2022).
• Publication date: Approved/published October 1, 2022 (designated F1978‑22).
• Publisher: ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials).
• ICS / categories: Metallic coatings / surface engineering — ICS 25.220.40 (metallic coatings).
• Edition / version: F1978‑22 (2022 revision).
• Number of pages: 6 pages (standard document length).

Scope

This test method quantifies abrasion resistance of metallic thermal‑spray coatings on flat, rigid metallic substrates by using the Taber Abraser. It is intended for specimens that remain dimensionally and chemically stable at room temperature up to 100 °C and is intended as a comparative/characterization technique (for R&D, quality control and regulatory submissions for coated metallic implants and components). The method is limited to plate‑type specimens large enough to keep the abrading wheels in continuous contact during the test.

Key topics and requirements

• Test apparatus: Taber Abraser with dual opposing abrading wheels mounted so they rotate in opposite directions relative to the rotating specimen.
• Typical abrading wheel and load: calibrated Taber wheels (Calibrase/Calibrade types, commonly H‑22 designation) and an abrasive head mass around 250 g (head only) with user‑specified additional weights as required by the method.
• Operating conditions: specified turntable speed (examples in practice include 60 or 72 rpm ± tolerances) and vacuum removal of wear debris during the run to avoid secondary abrasion.
• Measured outputs: accumulated mass loss (weight change), visual/optical inspection of particle shedding and wear‑pattern documentation; data used for comparative ranking of coatings or for quality acceptance criteria.
• Specimen limits: flat, hard substrates that do not react significantly with water or undergo phase changes under test conditions.
• Intended use: comparative abrasion/wear characterization, coating R&D, incoming/production QA for coated parts and supporting data for medical device submissions where applicable.

Typical use and users

Users include materials and surface‑engineering laboratories, thermal‑spray coating suppliers, medical device manufacturers (orthopedic and other implant makers), independent test laboratories, and R&D groups performing comparative coating development and quality control. Typical uses are comparative ranking of coating formulations/processes, incoming inspection of coated components, and generation of supporting performance data for design or regulatory filings.

Related standards

Standards and test methods commonly referenced alongside ASTM F1978 include other Taber and abrasion test methods (for example ASTM F1478, ASTM F510, ASTM D3389 / D4060, and ISO/EN equivalents for abrasion testing). Guidance on rotary platform abrasion testing (general test practice) such as ASTM G195 and relevant ISO paint/coating abrasion test methods may also be relevant when comparing results across methods and industries.

Keywords

Taber Abraser; abrasion resistance; thermal spray; metallic coatings; particle shedding; wear testing; medical implants; coating characterization; Taber H‑22; mass loss.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM F1978‑22 is a standardized test method that uses a Taber Abraser to measure the abrasion resistance (expressed typically as mass loss and observed particle shedding) of metallic thermal‑spray coatings applied to flat metallic substrates.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen preparation limits, Taber Abraser configuration and wheel mounting (dual opposing wheels), common wheel types and head loads, operating speeds and vacuum debris removal, and methods for reporting abrasion (mass loss and qualitative observations). The method is intended for comparative characterization, not for every geometry or highly reactive/coating‑transforming materials.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Coating developers, thermal‑spray shops, device manufacturers (especially implant manufacturers), independent testing labs and R&D groups engaged in coating selection, process control and failure‑mode investigations.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The current published revision is F1978‑22 (approved/published October 1, 2022). There is no widely published indication of a subsequent superseding revision as of this document's publication. Users should check ASTM's catalog or their standards subscriptions for any amendments or later revisions.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is a discrete test method within ASTM’s family of materials and abrasion test standards and is maintained under the relevant ASTM technical committee for medical and surgical materials/devices (subcommittee material test methods). It is commonly used in conjunction with other Taber and abrasion test methods when developing broader wear‑resistance or coating assessment protocols.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Taber Abraser, abrasion resistance, thermal spray, metallic coating, mass loss, particle shedding, implant coating, Taber H‑22.