Biaozhuo MCY-5 High-Precision Pendulum Skid Resistance Tester

Overview

The Biaozhuo MCY-5 High-Precision Pendulum Skid Resistance Tester is a calibrated, digitally enhanced pendulum-type instrument engineered for the quantitative determination of skid resistance—expressed as British Pendulum Number (BPN)—on road surfaces, airport runways, pavement markings, and aggregate specimens. It operates on the fundamental mechanical principle that the loss in gravitational potential energy of a falling pendulum equals the work done against kinetic friction at the slider–surface interface. This energy-based method ensures traceable, physics-grounded measurement aligned with international standards for surface friction evaluation. Unlike legacy analog pendulum testers, the MCY-5 integrates high-resolution angular displacement sensing, real-time force monitoring capability (via optional load cell integration), and embedded temperature compensation—enabling metrologically rigorous field and laboratory assessments under variable environmental conditions.

Key Features

• High-fidelity angular position tracking via precision optical encoder (±0.1° accuracy, ±0.5° repeatability), eliminating parallax and manual scale reading errors.
• Dual-mode operational firmware supporting both standard roadway testing (126 mm sliding length, 76 mm rubber slider) and polished aggregate testing per JTG E42-2005 T0321 (76 mm sliding length, 31.5 mm slider).
• Integrated digital temperature sensor (−20 °C to +100 °C, ±0.1 °C accuracy) mounted directly on the base plate, enabling simultaneous surface temperature recording—a critical parameter for friction coefficient normalization per ASTM E303 and ISO 13473-1.
• Onboard non-volatile memory storing up to 50 complete test records, each timestamped and annotated with BPN, ambient temperature, and operator-selected test mode.
• Self-contained 12 V lithium-ion power system delivering 35 hours of continuous operation; automatic low-battery shutdown at ≤7% state-of-charge to preserve cell longevity.
• Modular mechanical architecture featuring granite-slab mounting interface, adjustable leveling feet with spirit level, and rigid T-leg base—designed to suppress vibration-induced measurement drift during outdoor deployment.
• Compliance-ready design: All firmware logic, data storage, and user interaction paths support audit-trail generation required for GLP-compliant pavement quality assurance programs.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The MCY-5 is validated for use across three primary material categories: asphaltic and concrete pavements, thermoplastic or epoxy road markings, and coarse aggregates subjected to accelerated polishing (per JTG E42-2005). Its mechanical configuration conforms to the dimensional and mass requirements specified in JJG 053-2017 (Chinese national verification regulation), JT/T 763-2017 (industry standard for pendulum testers), and GB/T 35153-2017 (anti-slip ceramic tile testing). For international reference, its pendulum geometry and force application align with the physical parameters defined in EN 13036-4 and ASTM E303. The instrument’s 22.2 N nominal normal force and 126 mm standardized sliding length ensure direct comparability with historical BPN datasets maintained by transportation agencies worldwide. Optional load cell integration enables dynamic pressure profiling during slider contact—supporting research into viscoelastic friction mechanisms and tire–pavement interaction modeling.

Software & Data Management

The MCY-5 runs proprietary embedded firmware with a deterministic real-time kernel, ensuring consistent timing between pendulum release and angular sampling (1 kHz acquisition rate). All measured BPN values are stored with metadata including test mode, date/time stamp, temperature reading, and sequence number. Data export is supported via USB-C interface to standard CSV files compatible with Excel, MATLAB, and pavement management systems (PMS). While the onboard display uses Chinese-language UI for domestic regulatory alignment, firmware supports English-language localization upon request for export configurations. No cloud connectivity or remote telemetry is implemented—ensuring full data sovereignty and compliance with ISO/IEC 27001-aligned information security policies common in government infrastructure departments. Audit logs record all calibration adjustments, zeroing events, and firmware version changes—satisfying documentation requirements under ISO/IEC 17025 for accredited testing laboratories.

Applications

• Routine field verification of skid resistance on highways and urban arterials per JTG 3450-2019, supporting preventive maintenance scheduling and safety performance evaluation.
• Quality control of newly applied pavement markings during construction handover, verifying compliance with minimum BPN thresholds stipulated in contract specifications.
• Accelerated polishing value (PSV) determination for coarse aggregates used in high-friction surfacing layers—critical for airfield runway and mountainous highway applications.
• Research-grade correlation studies between macrotexture, microtexture, and dynamic friction coefficients under controlled wet/dry conditions.
• Calibration and intermediate verification of portable pendulum testers deployed across regional DOT fleets—serving as a field-deployable reference standard.

FAQ

What standards does the MCY-5 comply with?

It meets JJG 053-2017, JT/T 763-2017, JTG 3450-2019, JTG E42-2005, and GB/T 35153-2017. Its mechanical design is functionally equivalent to devices conforming to ASTM E303 and EN 13036-4.

Can the MCY-5 be used indoors and outdoors?

Yes. Its operating temperature range (−15 °C to +65 °C) and IP54-rated enclosure permit reliable use in unsheltered field environments, including rain-exposed pavement testing when paired with the supplied spray bottle.

Is battery replacement user-serviceable?

The integrated 12 V lithium-ion pack is sealed and not field-replaceable; however, it is rated for ≥500 charge cycles and may be serviced by authorized Biaozhuo technical centers under warranty.

How often must the instrument be recalibrated?

Annual calibration is recommended per JJG 053-2017. Users may perform in-house verification using certified reference sliders and granite calibration plates, but full metrological traceability requires factory recalibration.

Does the MCY-5 support data export to GIS or pavement management platforms?

Raw CSV exports contain latitude/longitude fields (manually entered), BPN, temperature, and timestamp—enabling direct ingestion into PMS tools such as Streetwise, PAVER, or custom ArcGIS workflows.