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DIN vs Akron vs NBS vs Taber: How to Choose Rubber Abrasion Test Standard

Test Machines: UP-1008 DIN Abrasion Tester, UP-1001 Akron Abrasion Tester, UP-1009 NBS Abrasion Tester, UP-1010 Taber Abrasion

Tester Standards: DIN 53516 / ISO 4649 / ASTM D1630 / ASTM D4060 Applications: Rubber, shoe soles, tires and elastic materials

Abrasion testing is essential to evaluate the wear resistance of rubber materials. DIN, Akron, NBS and Taber are four widely adopted abrasion test methods, each with unique principles and suitable applications.

DIN Abrasion (DIN 53516 / ISO 4649) A cylindrical specimen rubs against a rotating sandpaper drum. The result is measured by volume loss (mm³).

✅ Global recognition, small sample size and fast testing

✅ Ideal for rubber compound R&D, rubber soles, tread rubber and general elastomers

❌ Not recommended for hard coatings, thin skins and large patterned samples

Akron Abrasion (ASTM D1630) An inclined rubber wheel specimen performs rolling-sliding friction against a grinding wheel to simulate tyre wear. Results are recorded as weight loss per 1000 revolutions.

✅ Simulates real rolling conditions of tires

✅ Ideal for tire treads and heavy-duty rubber rollers

❌ Not recommended for thin rubber sheets and soft foam rubber

NBS Abrasion A block specimen is pressed onto a rotating grinding wheel for high-stress sliding wear test.

✅ Low cost, suitable for internal comparison of shoe materials

✅ Ideal for solid hard rubber soles and factory incoming QC

❌ Poor repeatability; not fit for soft low-modulus rubber and precise formula evaluation

Taber Abrasion (ASTM D4060) A flat sample is fixed, while twin rotating abrading wheels create circular wear tracks. Weight loss is measured. It supports multiple materials. ✅ Versatile for rubber, plastic, coatings and leather with interchangeable wheels

✅ Ideal for rubber sheets, rubber coatings and composite panels

❌ Not recommended for highly elastic soft rubber, curved samples and tyre compounds (prone to deformation & heat build-up)

Selection Decision 

• Tire tread / heavy rubber roller → Akron (ASTM D1630)
• Rubber compound / rubber sole / general elastomer → DIN (ISO 4649 / DIN 53516) [Recommended]
• Solid hard rubber sole, simple incoming inspection → NBS
• Flat rubber sheet / coating / composite, multi-material test → Taber (ASTM D4060)
• Soft foam rubber / thin rubber skin → DIN preferred, avoid Taber