Lubricants for High-Vacuum Applications

Abstract

This report reviews the selection criteria and performance of lubricants in vacuum environments found in terrestrial equipment and in (and around) space vehicles. Vacuum, mechanical, and thermal conditions of such lubricant use are outlined. Tribology issues are defined that should be considered in initial design of systems used in terrestrial equipment or space vehicles. The types of vacuum lubricants that are available (dry or solid, liquid, or grease) are reviewed, their properties and applicability to general situations are assessed, and the option of not lubricating is discussed. Examples of specific applications and performance data for lubricants in space and on earth are presented.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 15, 1993
Accession Number
ADA263026

Entities

People

  • M. R. Hilton
  • P. D. Fleischauer

Organizations

  • The Aerospace Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Sensors
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Bearings
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Crystal Structure
  • Friction
  • Lubricants
  • Lubrication
  • Material Degradation Processes
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Science
  • Mechanics
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft
  • Synthetic Oils

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Tribology (the study of the boundary interaction between sliding surfaces, lubrication, wear and friction).

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster