Archard Wear Equation Calculator
For materials engineers and tribologists sizing a pin-on-disk or bushing pair who need a fast preliminary sliding-wear volume from Archard's V = K·W·L/H before committing to a full wear test.
Wear Volume V: --- mm³
Formula: V = K × W × L / H = --- mm³
Preliminary estimation only — not a substitute for review by a qualified/licensed engineer.
How to Use This Archard Wear Equation Calculator
- Enter the dimensionless wear coefficient K for your material pair.
- Enter the normal load W in newtons.
- Enter the total sliding distance L in millimetres.
- Enter the softer surface's hardness H in MPa — convert a Vickers reading with HV × 9.807 first.
- Read the wear volume in mm³ and the substituted formula line underneath it.
FAQ
Q: What units do I use in the Archard wear equation calculator?
A: Load W in N, sliding distance L in mm and hardness H in MPa (N/mm², i.e. Vickers HV × 9.807), with K dimensionless — then V = K·W·L/H falls out directly in mm³ with no further unit conversion.
Q: What is the wear coefficient K?
A: It is the dimensionless coefficient in V = K·W·L/H that scales the abrasive and adhesive sliding wear volume; enter it as a plain number with no unit.
Q: Why does the calculator refuse a hardness of zero?
A: Hardness sits in the denominator of V = K·W·L/H, so H must be strictly greater than 0 — the field blocks the calculation instead of dividing by zero.
Q: Is this wear volume good enough for a final design sign-off?
A: No — the result is for preliminary estimation only and is not a substitute for review by a qualified or licensed engineer.