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Design and Build-Up of Two Tribometers for the Offshore Renewable Energy Sector at NTNU

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Two bachelor thesis projects at NTNU in 2024 are spearheading the development of two new small-scale multi-degradation test rigs for the offshore renewable energy sector.


Authors: Martine Evensen, Solveig So-Sun Garen, Elin Karlsen Paulsrud, Harald Aase, Ansgar Korsæth, and Kjetil SørensenSupervisors: Nuria Espallargas, Hamid KhanmohammadiInstitution: NTNU, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering


Date: May 2024


Thesis Overview

These bachelor theses focus on designing and constructing tribometers capable of testing metallic samples under simultaneous friction, corrosion, and bending fatigue conditions. Using a top sliding motion approach, the tribometers aim to advance research in the offshore renewable energy sector.

Two small-scale Multi-degradation (SSMD) test rigs were designed with different capabilities and configurations of degrading forces and mechanisms. The first rig, a submerged SSMD with a plate-on-ball configuration, is a scaled-down version of the LSMD rig with key modifications. The second rig, a non-submerged SSMD, introduces a new design to investigate the effect of third-body wear particles on multi-degradation, using a ball-on-plate contact setup.

The physical parameters of both test rigs and the samples were carefully defined, and several iterations were carried out to refine their designs. Manufacturing has commenced, though minor adjustments may still be required during production.


Key Features of the Tribometers

  • Multi-Condition Testing: Capable of testing friction, corrosion, and bending fatigue simultaneously.

  • Design Specifications: Comprising a ball-on-plate tribometer with four-point bending and an integrated electrochemical cell.

  • Materials Tested: Includes SS316L, SDSS UNS S32750, mild steel, bearing steel, Inconel 625, and Ti6Al4V.


Importance and Applications

  • Foundational Work: These tribometers form the basis for MORE project’s small-scale multi-degradation test rigs.

  • Research and Development: They enable critical research on material performance in harsh offshore environments, essential for developing robust materials for renewable energy devices.


Contributions to the MORE Project

  • Innovation: The design and functionality of the tribometers pave the way for advanced test rigs simulating real-world offshore conditions.

  • Supervision: The project has been guided by Nuria Espallargas and Hamid Khanmohammadi, prominent contributors to the MORE project, ensuring close alignment with its objectives.


These bachelor theses mark a significant step in developing innovative testing equipment that will enhance research capabilities in the offshore renewable energy field, supporting the creation of next-generation, resilient materials for marine applications.


Graphical sketch showing the design of one of the tribometers.
Graphical sketch showing the design of one of the tribometers.

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Project Coordinator

RISE Research Institutes of Sweden

Johan Lindén

johan.b.linden@ri.se

+46 76 864 00 66

This research was funded by CETPartnership, the European

Partnership under Joint Call 2022 for research proposals, co-funded by the European Commission (GA N°101069750) and with the funding organisations listed on the CETPartnership website.”

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