Johannes Lutz

• In contrast to motorbike tyres, whose friction during cornering has to be as high as possible, the desired effect in skiing is the opposite, that of low friction. The reduced friction between skis and ice or snow is made possible by a film of meltwater that forms as a function of friction power. To support this friction mechanism, skis are waxed with different waxes in both hobby and professional sports, depending on a variety of conditions. Waxes with fluorine additives show best performance in most conditions, corresponding to the lowest friction coefficients. However, for health and environmental reasons, the International Ski Federation (FIS) and the Biathlon Un-ion (IBU) have imposed a complete ban on fluorine additives at all FIS races and IBU events with effect from the 2023/2024 season. As a result, wax manufacturers are required to develop and extensively test fluorine-free waxes in order to remain competitive. Traditional tests take place either indoors or outdoors in the field. Athletes, who complete a particular distance and whose time is measured, also note the impres-sions that the prepared skis provide to the skiers. The time and cost involved in nu-merous individual tests is a drawback, and the presence of only a single type of snow in the hall or field, air resistance, changing environmental conditions and var-iations in the athlete's movement, limit the depth of information. For the need of re-ducing the time-consuming procedure of indoor and outdoor tests, a tribometer of-fers a solution where friction measurements can be performed on a laboratory scale. Due to the consistent adjustable conditions such as temperature, speed and load applied to the friction partners, scientific studies can be carried out with reduced dis-turbance variables. At present, the tribometric results of laboratory instruments for predicting friction values do not translate into application in practice. The reasons for this are the compromises that have to be made in the design of the tribometers. This work reviews the existing tribometers for their operating conditions and con-firms the need for a scientific method of characterising different waxes. In order to fill the gap between friction results obtained in laboratory tests which cannot yet be used in the selection of waxes, and traditional field tests, this thesis is dedicated to the methodical design and manufacture of a linear tribometer capable of measuring friction between a ski base made of UHMWPE (ultra high molecular weight polyeth-ylene) and an ice sample. The tribometer provides for the first time results that allow differentiating be-tween different modified waxes with regard to their running performance. Friction-influencing factors such as speed, temperature and the surface pressure below the ski base can be adjusted within the range relevant for ski sports. Furthermore, the laboratory-scale test stand, which is located in a cold chamber, is capable of ac-commodating not only typical ski jumping base lengths and widths, but also cross-country and alpine ski bases. To verify the tribometer, a ski base is treated with three waxes of different fluorine content and measured comparatively. With a minimum of 95% confidence, the friction differences between the tested waxes depending on their fluorine content is validated and proven at the end of this work.