Data acquisition systems were developed for three-dimensional representation and analysis of surface topography and surface temperatures in tribological processes. 3-D information about the topography of surfaces was obtained from parallel traverses of the stylus of a Talysurf 4 profilometer. MOVIE.BYU and Tektronix graphics terminals were used to display the models of the surfaces.

Surface temperatures generated by friction were measured using a Barnes RM-2A Infrared Radiometric Microscope. The sliding system consisted of a pin (or sphere)-on-disc mechanism. An optically flat, transparent sapphire disc was used as the rotating member.

A computerized data acquisition system (consisting of an IBM PC a.nd a Data Translation 2805 I/O system) was interfaced with the IR microscope and its accessories to help scan the region of contact and record data to generate maps of the radiance distribution over the scan-area. MOVIE.BYU and Tektronix graphics terminals were used to display the radiance maps in three dimensions. A method for studying fast thermal transients in the sliding system is suggested and demonstrated. This method uses the unfiltered signal from the IR microscope to detect the transients.

Some simple tests were conducted to observe the general performance of the systems mentioned above. The test results along with suggestions for possible areas of improvement are discussed.