For accurate, reproducible and robust results, your rubber sliders must be conditioned prior to use. Failure to follow this procedure may affect the validity of your results.
The following equipment is required to condition your rubber sliders:
- Multipurpose Sample Holder
- Float Glass
- P400 Conditioning Paper
- Pink Lapping Film (if using a 4S(96) Rubber Slider)
- Green Lapping Film (if using a TRL(55) Rubber Slider)
- Spray Water Bottle
The precise preparation procedure required depends on two factors:
- The type of rubber slider – TRL(55) or 4S(96)
- Whether the rubber slider has been previously used
References & Further Reading
We recommend that all Pendulum users purchase a copy of the UK Slip Resistance Group Guidelines (see reference below).
UK Slip Resistance Group, The UK Slip Resistance Guidelines, Issue 4.0,UKSRG (2016)
- Available to purchase here
Please also refer to the specific British or International Standard to which you are testing. There may be minor variations in the conditioning procedure in some standards.
Conditioning New Rubber Sliders
- Fit the rubber slider to the foot of the pendulum arm.
- Place a piece of clean float glass in the sample holder.
- Securely fix a piece of P400 Paper on top of the float glass using the sample holder clip.
- Set the footprint.
- Carry out 10 Swings across the P400 paper, reset the footprint and then carry out a further 10 swings.
- Replace the P400 paper with an unused piece of lapping film. Spray the surface of the lapping film with water (this should be repeated between each swing). Carry out 20 swings across the lapping film.
- If using 4S(96) Rubber Sliders pink lapping film is to be used
- If using TRL(55) Rubber Sliders green lapping film is to be used
- Make sure that you wipe the rubber slider, with a paper towel, until it is dry. You are now ready to verify the Pendulum Tester.
Conditioning Used Rubber Sliders
- Clean the rubber slider with a paper towel to remove any contamination resulting from previous testing.
- Place a piece of clean float glass in the sample holder.
- Securely fix a piece of P400 Paper on top of the float glass using the sample holder clip.
- Set the footprint.
- Carry out a minimum of 3 swings across the P400 paper. The purpose of this is to eliminate any surface imperfections arising from previous testing.
- Replace the P400 paper with an unused piece of lapping film. Spray the surface of the lapping film with water (this should be repeated between each swing). Carry out 20 swings across the lapping film.
- If using 4S(96) Rubber Sliders select pink lapping film is to be used
- If using TRL(55) Rubber Sliders select green lapping film is to be used
- Wipe the rubber slider dry. You are now ready to verify the pendulum tester.
Please Note: The working edge of the rubber slider should not exceed 4 mm. Once this threshold has been exceeded, a new rubber slider, or the other edge, should be used. Please also note that rubber sliders should be replaced after 12 months, regardless of the working edge.
