Cerchar Abrasiveness Tester (West Type)

The Cerchar Abrasiveness Tester, West Type (CT-CAI-W) measures how strongly a rock wears cutting tools and drill bits. A standard steel stylus scratches the rock surface over a fixed length under a fixed load, and the wear on the stylus tip gives the Cerchar Abrasiveness Index (CAI). The test follows ASTM D7625-10. The index guides tool selection and cost estimates for excavation and drilling. The original-type tester is offered in the same group.

How it works

In the West configuration the rock specimen moves under the stylus on a precision slide, which carries it over the required scratch distance. The scratch is made on a fresh surface. The stylus is pressed onto the rock with a load of 70 N, and scratch distance is set with a precision of 0.01 mm. The stylus is steel hardened to Rockwell HRC 54/56.

After the scratch, the wear on the stylus tip is measured and the CAI is calculated from it. Scratch length and stylus load are the controlled variables; tip wear is the measured one. Operation is manual. The daylight adjusts for specimen height up to 150 mm (6 in), and the maximum specimen diameter is 76 mm (3.0 in). The unit weighs 25 kg and measures 330 x 500 x 500 mm (W x L x H).

What is included

• West-type test frame with precision specimen slide and adjustable daylight
• Stylus loading at 70 N
• Steel stylus, HRC 54/56

Specify for your project

• Rock types and specimen size, up to 76 mm diameter and 150 mm height
• Number of styli required for the test program
• Stylus wear measurement method and equipment: stated in the project datasheet
• Reporting format for CAI results

This description defines the product family. Guaranteed performance, included hardware, exclusions, interfaces and acceptance criteria are stated only in the project-specific technical proposal and approved datasheet.

Features

• Standard : ASTM D7625-10.
• Load: 70 N
• Maximum specimen height: 150 mm (6 inches)
• Maximum specimen diameter: 76 mm (3.0 inches)
• Scratch distance precision: 0.01 mm
• Steel Stylus: Rockwell Hardness HRC 54/56
• Weight: 25 kg
• Dimensions (WxLxH): 330 x 500 x 500 mm

Benefits

• ASTM-compliant, West model
• Easy manual handling
• Features precision slide for smooth movement of the rock specimen over the required scratch distance
• Easy adjustment of the daylight for different specimen heights