PROGRAM 461 RELIABILITY MATERIALS RESEARCH AND APPLICATION EVALUATION OF BEARING MATERIALS AND LUBRICANTS FOR SPACE ENVIRONMENT
Abstract
The best operating lifetimes in a vacuum were achieved with oil and grease lubricants. Of the 37 tests conducted with 28 oils, double-shielded bearings with vacuum impregnated paper base phenolic retainers lubricated with 4 oils (one low-volatility petroleum base oil and 3 halo genated silicones) gave lifetimes of over 1 year. Of 13 greases evaluated in 16 tests, 4 greases, composed of silicone oils in shielded bearings showed lifetimes of over 1 year. On the basis of coast times, torque was abousame for oil lubricated bearings with phenolic retainers as for the grease-lubricated bearings with metal ribbon retainers. Of the total oil tests in a vacuum, 1 oil (Apiezon K) has achieved 18,297 hours of test time and is still running. Of the total grease tests in a vacuum, 1 grease (Aero shell-15) has achieved 13,364 hours and is still running. Of the 29 tests conducted, on different dry-film lubricants, 15 showed poor reproducibil ity and all had limited lifetimes under a 100% duty cycle. The maximum lifetime achieved was 2,213 hours. However, similar tests on the same material gave test times of 876, 245, 342, and 132 hours. Eight self- lubricating retainer materials were evaluated in 19 tests. Two poly tetrafluoroethylene compositions gave the best results: 5,000 and 3,000 hours. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0405572
Entities
Organizations
- Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space