--- title: Product - Tribo - Four Ball Tester (FBT-3) - R20A21 --- [![Ducom - Logo - Full - Vector (90 Gray and Light Blue-Inverted) - PNG](https://www.ducom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DUCOM/Logos/Ducom%20Logos/Ducom%20-%20Logo%20-%20Full%20-%20Vector%20(90%20Gray%20and%20Light%20Blue-Inverted)%20-%20PNG.png?width=925&height=246&name=Ducom%20-%20Logo%20-%20Full%20-%20Vector%20(90%20Gray%20and%20Light%20Blue-Inverted)%20-%20PNG.png "Ducom - Logo - Full - Vector (90 Gray and Light Blue-Inverted) - PNG")](https://www.ducom.com?hsLang=en) - Products - Services - Resources - [Blog](https://blog.ducom.com) - [Tribology Discussions](https://lp.ducom.com/tribology-discussions) - Company - [About Us](https://www.ducom.com/about-ducom-instruments) - [Locations](https://www.ducom.com/company-contact-us) - Support - [After Sales Support](https://www.ducom.com/support) - [Instrument Service Plans](https://www.ducom.com/instrument-service-plan) #### General Tribology - [Universal Tester - UNITEST](https://www.ducom.com/universal-tester-unitest) - [Multi Capability Tribometer - POD 4.0](https://www.ducom.com/multi-capability-tribometer-pin/ball-on-disk) - [Vacuum Tribometer - VT 3.0](https://www.ducom.com/vacuum-tribometer) - [Abrasion Tester - Dry and Slurry](https://www.ducom.com/abrasion-tester) - [Erosion Tester - Air Jet](https://www.ducom.com/air-jet-erosion-tester) - [Erosion Tester - Slurry Jet](https://www.ducom.com/slurry-jet-erosion-tester) - [Erosion Tester - Water Droplet](https://www.ducom.com/water-droplet-erosion-tester) - [Twin Disk Tribometer](https://www.ducom.com/twin-disk-roller-on-roller-tribometer) - [BioTribometer](https://www.ducom.com/biotribometer) #### Lubricant Tribology - [Four Ball Tester (Desktop)](https://www.ducom.com/four-ball-tester-fbt-3) - [Four Ball Tester (Standard)](https://www.ducom.com/four-ball-tester-tr-30-series) - [High Frequency Reciprocating Rig (HFRR)](https://www.ducom.com/high-frequency-reciprocating-rig-hfrr) - [KRL Shear Stability Tester](https://www.ducom.com/krl-shear-stability-tester) - [Low Temperature Torque Tester](https://www.ducom.com/low-temperature-torque-tester) #### Petroleum Testers - [Flash Point Tester - Pensky Martens](https://www.ducom.com/pensky-martens-flash-point-tester) - [Flash Point Tester - Abel](https://www.ducom.com/abel-flash-point-tester) - [Flash Point Tester - Cleveland](https://www.ducom.com/cleveland-flash-point-tester) - [Freezing Point Tester](https://www.ducom.com/freezing-point-tester) - [Cloud Point Tester](https://www.ducom.com/cloud-and-pour-point-tester) - [Pour Point Tester](https://www.ducom.com/pour-point-tester) - [Roll Stability Tester](https://www.ducom.com/roll-stability-tester) - [Noack Volatility Test Apparatus](https://www.ducom.com/noack-volatility-tester) - [BOCLE - ATF Fuel Lubricity Tester](https://www.ducom.com/product-ball-on-cylinder-lubricity-evaluator-bocle) - [Shear Stability Tester (Diesel Injector)](https://www.ducom.com/product-shear-stability-tester-diesel-injector) #### See our full range of products [![Explore All Our Products](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5735947/8c0055af-2ff0-4aad-aa83-42dcde0c56f4.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5735947/8c0055af-2ff0-4aad-aa83-42dcde0c56f4) #### MOOHA - Digital Lab Assistant MOOHA is an A.I. enabled digital lab assistant that can assist you with automatically logging data, maintaining an audit trail, performing statistical analysis and accessing data and instrument health and status instantly via a secure encrypted interface. [![Learn more about MOOHA](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5735947/78fb441a-de0c-4a9e-bf49-85bbcd080e46.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5735947/78fb441a-de0c-4a9e-bf49-85bbcd080e46) #### Ducom Test Lab The Ducom Test Lab can be an extension of your quality or R&D department. Our experienced and knowledgeable application scientists and lab technicians can help you with finding the right test methods, designing test programs and delivering results.  [![Contract Test Lab](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5735947/17c38921-6c5f-4d81-bd5d-e810fb2b1b68.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5735947/17c38921-6c5f-4d81-bd5d-e810fb2b1b68) #### Knowledge - [Blog](https://blog.ducom.com) - [E-Books](https://www.ducom.com/e-books) #### Events - [WEBINAR | Tribology Discussions](https://lp.ducom.com/tribology-discussions) - [Conferences and Tradeshows](https://www.ducom.com/conferences-and-tradeshows) #### Company - [About Us](https://www.ducom.com/about-ducom-instruments) - [Locations](https://www.ducom.com/company-contact-us) #### Work with us - [Job Openings](https://www.ducom.com/careers) - [Become a sales partner](https://lp.ducom.com/distributor-training) #### After Sales Support - [Get Support](https://www.ducom.com/support) - [Instrument Service Plans](https://www.ducom.com/instrument-service-plan) [![Ducom - Logo - Full - Vector (90 Gray and Light Blue-Inverted)](https://www.ducom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DUCOM/Logos/Ducom%20Logos/Ducom%20-%20Logo%20-%20Full%20-%20Vector%20(90%20Gray%20and%20Light%20Blue-Inverted).png?width=564&height=150&name=Ducom%20-%20Logo%20-%20Full%20-%20Vector%20(90%20Gray%20and%20Light%20Blue-Inverted).png "Ducom - Logo - Full - Vector (90 Gray and Light Blue-Inverted)")](https://www.ducom.com/www.ducom.com?hsLang=en) - Products - Services - Resources - [Blog](https://blog.ducom.com) - [Tribology Discussions](https://lp.ducom.com/tribology-discussions) - Company - [About Us](https://www.ducom.com/about-ducom-instruments) - [Locations](https://www.ducom.com/company-contact-us) - Support - [After Sales Support](https://www.ducom.com/support) - [Instrument Service Plans](https://www.ducom.com/instrument-service-plan) #### General Tribology - [Universal Tester - UNITEST](https://www.ducom.com/universal-tester-unitest) - [Multi Capability Tribometer - POD 4.0](https://www.ducom.com/multi-capability-tribometer-pin/ball-on-disk) - [Vacuum Tribometer - VT 3.0](https://www.ducom.com/vacuum-tribometer) - [Abrasion Tester - Dry and Slurry](https://www.ducom.com/abrasion-tester) - [Erosion Tester - Air Jet](https://www.ducom.com/air-jet-erosion-tester) - [Erosion Tester - Slurry Jet](https://www.ducom.com/slurry-jet-erosion-tester) - [Erosion Tester - Water Droplet](https://www.ducom.com/water-droplet-erosion-tester) - [Twin Disk Tribometer](https://www.ducom.com/twin-disk-roller-on-roller-tribometer) - [BioTribometer](https://www.ducom.com/biotribometer) #### Lubricant Tribology - [Four Ball Tester (Desktop)](https://www.ducom.com/four-ball-tester-fbt-3) - [Four Ball Tester (Standard)](https://www.ducom.com/four-ball-tester-tr-30-series) - [High Frequency Reciprocating Rig (HFRR)](https://www.ducom.com/high-frequency-reciprocating-rig-hfrr) - [KRL Shear Stability Tester](https://www.ducom.com/krl-shear-stability-tester) - [Low Temperature Torque Tester](https://www.ducom.com/low-temperature-torque-tester) #### Petroleum Testers - [Flash Point Tester - Pensky Martens](https://www.ducom.com/pensky-martens-flash-point-tester) - [Flash Point Tester - Abel](https://www.ducom.com/abel-flash-point-tester) - [Flash Point Tester - Cleveland](https://www.ducom.com/cleveland-flash-point-tester) - [Freezing Point Tester](https://www.ducom.com/freezing-point-tester) - [Cloud Point Tester](https://www.ducom.com/cloud-and-pour-point-tester) - [Pour Point Tester](https://www.ducom.com/pour-point-tester) - [Roll Stability Tester](https://www.ducom.com/roll-stability-tester) - [Noack Volatility Test Apparatus](https://www.ducom.com/noack-volatility-tester) - [BOCLE - ATF Fuel Lubricity Tester](https://www.ducom.com/product-ball-on-cylinder-lubricity-evaluator-bocle) - [Shear Stability Tester (Diesel Injector)](https://www.ducom.com/product-shear-stability-tester-diesel-injector) #### See our full range of products [![Explore All Our Products](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5735947/8c0055af-2ff0-4aad-aa83-42dcde0c56f4.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5735947/8c0055af-2ff0-4aad-aa83-42dcde0c56f4) #### MOOHA - Digital Lab Assistant MOOHA is an A.I. enabled digital lab assistant that can assist you with automatically logging data, maintaining an audit trail, performing statistical analysis and accessing data and instrument health and status instantly via a secure encrypted interface. [![Learn more about MOOHA](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5735947/78fb441a-de0c-4a9e-bf49-85bbcd080e46.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5735947/78fb441a-de0c-4a9e-bf49-85bbcd080e46) #### Ducom Test Lab The Ducom Test Lab can be an extension of your quality or R&D department. Our experienced and knowledgeable application scientists and lab technicians can help you with finding the right test methods, designing test programs and delivering results.  [![Contract Test Lab](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5735947/17c38921-6c5f-4d81-bd5d-e810fb2b1b68.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5735947/17c38921-6c5f-4d81-bd5d-e810fb2b1b68) #### Knowledge - [Blog](https://blog.ducom.com) - [E-Books](https://www.ducom.com/e-books) #### Events - [WEBINAR | Tribology Discussions](https://lp.ducom.com/tribology-discussions) - [Conferences and Tradeshows](https://www.ducom.com/conferences-and-tradeshows) #### Company - [About Us](https://www.ducom.com/about-ducom-instruments) - [Locations](https://www.ducom.com/company-contact-us) #### Work with us - [Careers](https://ducom.freshteam.com/jobs) - [Become a sales partner](https://lp.ducom.com/distributor-training) #### After Sales Support - [Get Support](https://www.ducom.com/support) - [Instrument Service Plans](https://www.ducom.com/instrument-service-plan) Search **Menu** - [Instruments](https://www.ducom.com/products-explorer) - [Testing Services](https://www.ducom.com/ducom-labs-testing-and-consulting-services) - [Software](https://www.ducom.com/digital) - [Blog](https://blog.ducom.com) - Support - [After Sales Support](https://www.ducom.com/support) - [Service Plans](https://www.ducom.com/instrument-service-plan) - Company - [About Us](https://www.ducom.com/about-ducom-instruments) - [Locations](https://www.ducom.com/company-contact-us) # Four Ball Tester (FBT-3) ### Compact, powerful and robust. Complies with even the most demanding test standards. The four-ball test is a fast, repeatable and an accurate way to test lubricants for their wear preventive, extreme pressure and frictional properties. With high levels of automation, the FBT-3 makes this test easy to run. Its simple interface hides powerful features and technologies. A patented friction measurement system, automated scar prediction system and other features make four-ball testing more accurate and convenient than ever. [![Contact Us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5735947/ae754668-c424-4626-b943-daa047ad5c97.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5735947/ae754668-c424-4626-b943-daa047ad5c97) ![Four-Ball-Tester-FBT-3-Screen-On](https://www.ducom.com/hubfs/DUCOM/Products/Four%20Ball%20Tester%20(FBT-3)/Website%20-%20Four%20Ball%20Tester%20(FBT-3)/Four-Ball-Tester-FBT-3-Screen-On.png "Four-Ball-Tester-FBT-3-Screen-On") ## A TESTER FOR THE MODERN LUBRICANTS LAB Oils, Greases, Metal Working Fluids and Additives - [Specifications](https://www.ducom.com/four-ball-tester-fbt-3#tab1) - [Features](https://www.ducom.com/four-ball-tester-fbt-3#tab2) - [Options](https://www.ducom.com/four-ball-tester-fbt-3#tab3) - [Standards](https://www.ducom.com/four-ball-tester-fbt-3#tab4) - [Applications](https://www.ducom.com/four-ball-tester-fbt-3#tab5) ## Technical Specifications - Speed: 300 to 3000 rpm - Load: 100 to 10,000 N - Friction Force: 0 to 200 N - Friction Torque: 0 to 16 Nm - Temperature: Up to 90 deg C (200 deg C is optional) - Shear Rate: 107 per second (KRL Tapered Roller Bearing attachment is optional) ## Key Features - Robust, tabletop instrument - Extreme Pressure (EP) Tests - Wear Preventive (WP) Tests - Coefficient of Friction (COF) Tests - Add-on modules of KRL SST and HT - Automatic Loading - Built-In Touch Screen Interface - Preset international test standards - Custom test program mode - Proven compliance with test standards ## Options - KRL Shear Stability Test Attachment (CEC L-45, DIN 51350-6) - High Temperature Test Attachment (ambient to 200 °C) - MOOHA - Digital Lab Assistant (Software) - AI Wear Scar Prediction and Materials Library (Software) ## Test Standards The FBT-3 complies with various international test standards for extreme pressure, wear preventive and coefficient of friction measurement tests. Other standards can also be met using specialized attachments that are available for the tester. - ASTM D2266: Standard Test Method for Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Grease (Four-Ball Method) - ASTM D2596: Standard Test Method for Measurement of Extreme-Pressure Properties of Lubricating Grease (Four-Ball Method) - ASTM D2783: Standard Test Method for Measurement of Extreme-Pressure Properties of Lubricating Fluids (Four-Ball Method) - ASTM D4172: Standard Test Method for Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Fluid (Four-Ball Method) - ASTM D5183: Standard Test Method for Determination of the Coefficient of Friction of Lubricants Using the Four-Ball Wear Test Machine - DIN 51350-2: Testing of lubricants - Testing in the four-ball tester - Part 2: Determination of welding load of liquid lubricants - DIN 51350-3: Testing of lubricants - Testing in the four-ball tester - Part 3: Determination of wearing characteristics of liquid lubricants - DIN 51350-4: Testing of lubricants - Testing in the four-ball tester - Part 4: Determination of welding load of consistent lubricants - DIN 51350-5: Testing of lubricants - Testing in the four-ball tester - Part 5: Determination of wearing characteristics for consistent lubricants - IP 239: Determination of extreme pressure and anti-wear properties of lubricating fluids and greases - Four ball method (European conditions) - ISO 20623:2017: Petroleum and related products — Determination of the extreme-pressure and anti-wear properties of lubricants — Four-ball method (European conditions) - Add-on KRL SST Module - CEC L45-99: Viscosity shear stability of transmission lubricants ## Applications - Explore our newly designed KRL SST attachment to FBT-3 ([CEC L45 qualification tests in FBT-3 with KRL](https://blog.ducom.com/krl-fbt3?hsLang=en)) - Determine extreme pressure (EP), wear preventive (WP), frictional and fatigue behavior of lubricants. - Determine the incipient seizure and load wear index of lubricants. *Check out our article on [On the mechanism of lubricant additives using four ball tester](https://blog.ducom.com/additiveperformance?hsLang=en)* - Bench mark the lubricants against the competitors in the market. - Measure and compare the WP / EP of nanoparticles derived from carbon, metal oxide, sulphides, and nanocomposites. *Check out our article on [How to investigate nanoadditives by NIS USA?](https://blog.ducom.com/nanoadditives?hsLang=en)* - Compare the performance of lubricants at different loads, temperatures, base oils, additives, suppliers, etc - Compare and estimate the deterioration of lubricant quality by comparing fresh and used oil. *Check out our article on [Oil Aging: How to investigate the inevitable in the lab?](https://blog.ducom.com/oil-aging-how-to-investigate-the-inevitable-in-the-lab?hsLang=en)* - Investigate the performance of polymeric materials in lubricants used to achieve better shear stability and minimize viscosity loss. - Lubrication efficacy of biodegradable/vegetable oils compared to mineral/synthetic base oils. ## Product Features ## TOUCHSCREEN INTERFACE AND DATA ACQUISITION An inbuilt touch screen interface with an IP65 rating, coupled with state-of-the-art data acquisition hardware and electronics, the FBT-3 can effortlessly handle the most demanding testing applications. Designed for full touch compatibility, pre-configured test protocols allow users with minimal training to set up ASTM and other standard tests easily. Custom test protocols can be set when your needs exceed the scope of standard test procedures. ![FBT3_Touch screen](https://www.ducom.com/hubfs/DUCOM/Products/Four%20Ball%20Tester%20(FBT-3)/FBT-3%20Images%20and%20Videos/FBT3_Touch%20screen.gif) ![Friction-Force-Module-FBT-3-250x300-8b - Wide](https://www.ducom.com/hubfs/DUCOM/Products/Four%20Ball%20Tester%20(FBT-3)/Website%20-%20Four%20Ball%20Tester%20(FBT-3)/Friction-Force-Module-FBT-3-250x300-8b%20-%20Wide.png) ## STATE OF THE ART PATENTED TECHNOLOGY Patented friction force measurement technology for unparalleled measurement accuracy. Rapidly increasing lubricant quality standards demand the use of more sensitive measurement techniques to evaluate lubricants, and FBT-3 delivers on this. ## DIGITAL IMAGE ACQUISITION SYSYTEM (IAS) The inconvenience of removing each ball from the ball pot, followed by trial - error method to focus and measure the ball wear scar is made obsolete. The Image Acquisition System can house the entire ball pot after EP and WP tests. It comes complete with integrated camera, optics, lighting, and software. The integrated smart scar measurement technology (available on select systems) can assist users in wear scar area calculation, greatly improving quality of measurements. ![Image-Acquisition-System-FBT-3-Standalone](https://www.ducom.com/hubfs/DUCOM/Products/Four%20Ball%20Tester%20(FBT-3)/Website%20-%20Four%20Ball%20Tester%20(FBT-3)/Image-Acquisition-System-FBT-3-Standalone.png) ![FBT3 wear scar prediction](https://www.ducom.com/hubfs/DUCOM/Products/Four%20Ball%20Tester%20(FBT-3)/FBT-3%20Images%20and%20Videos/FBT3%20wear%20scar%20prediction.png) ## Automatic Scar Prediction ### THE POWER OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (A.I.) Every FBT-3 test is concluded by measuring the wear scar on the test specimens. It is the most manual aspect of any four ball testing and is prone to user errors and interpretation. Difficulty in visual observation of scars further increases the test variability. With our proprietary automatic scar prediction software, you can now harness the power of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) to **automatically** make **consistent and precise wear scar measurements**, overcoming the human error and greatly reducing the test variability. ![Compatible With Mooha - Icon - White](https://www.ducom.com/hubfs/DUCOM/Products/Mooha%204.0/Videos%20and%20Images/Compatible%20With%20Mooha%20-%20Icon%20-%20White.png) Industry 4.0 Ready A.I Power Lab Assistant ## MOOHA - THE DIGITAL ASSISTANT FOR YOUR LAB MOOHA is an A.I. enabled digital assistant that can be used together with, or in place of your Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). It has powerful device management, reporting, statistics and support functionalities. [![Learn more about MOOHA](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5735947/78fb441a-de0c-4a9e-bf49-85bbcd080e46.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5735947/78fb441a-de0c-4a9e-bf49-85bbcd080e46) **Questions? ** Our experienced and knowledgeable staff can help you.   [![Contact Us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5735947/ae754668-c424-4626-b943-daa047ad5c97.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5735947/ae754668-c424-4626-b943-daa047ad5c97) ### Ducom Instruments **USA**:  +1 (847) 737-1590 **India**: +91 (80) 4080-5555 **Netherlands: **+31 (85) 065 74 10 Email: info@ducom.com - Products and Services - [All Products](https://www.ducom.com/products-explorer) - [Test Services](https://www.ducom.com/ducom-labs-testing-and-consulting-services) - [Software Products](https://www.ducom.com/digital) - [Become a Distributor](https://lp.ducom.com/distributor-training) - Resources - [Blog](https://blog.ducom.com) - [Tribology Discussions](https://lp.ducom.com/tribology-discussions) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.ducom.com/privacy-policy) - [General Terms of Use](https://www.ducom.com/en/terms-of-use) - [General Terms of Sale](https://www.ducom.com/en/general-terms-of-sale) - Company - [About Us](https://www.ducom.com/about-ducom-instruments) - [Locations](https://www.ducom.com/company-contact-us) - [Careers](https://www.ducom.com/careers) - After Sales Support - [After Sales Support](https://www.ducom.com/support) - [Service Plans](https://www.ducom.com/instrument-service-plan) ### Drop us a line Copyright © 2021 Ducom Instruments (USA) Inc. 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