* ABOUT STANDARDS:  BTC's principal consulting engineer, Dr. Blau, has worked on the development and use of consensus-based, voluntary standards since 1979, starting as a researcher at what was then called the U.S. National Bureau of Standards (NBS).  He also served in many roles in ASTM International committees, including two terms as Chair of ASTM G2 Committee on Wear and Erosion.  His interests have included the writing of clear definitions, test method development and improvement, and the selection and use of basic and applied tribo-tests. He represented the United States in Task Area 1 on Wear for the Versailles Agreement on Advanced Materials and Standards (VAMAS), and during that time compiled an extensive survey of international wear testing standards. For some problems, the use of existing standards may not be appropriate, and Dr. Blau can offer advice in that challenging area as well.

Materials tribology and related subjects.

Severe wear damage to a wind turbine gearbox bearing.

Contact BTC to explore the ways to work with us!

BTC offers the following services: 


  • Tribosystem analysis (TSA) of friction and wear issues.
  • Material selection for TSA-related applications.
  • Selection, development, and use of test standards.*
  • Wear test selection, both standardized and problem-specific.
  • Interpretation of surface damage using light microscopy
  • Research proposal evaluation and critiques.
  • Customized in-plant tutorials.
  • Assessment of government and privately-funded R&D programs. (NDAs are acceptable)
  • Preparation and technical editing of reports, guides, practices, and standards to enhance clarity and focus.