The Use of Screening Tests in Spacecraft Lubricant Evaluation

Abstract

A lubricant screening test fixture has been devised to obtain lubricant performance data in a timely manner. This fixture has been used to perform short-term tests on potential lubricants for several spacecraft applications. The results of these tests have saved time by producing qualitative performance rankings of lubricant selections prior to life testing. To date, this test fixture has been used to test lubricants for three particular applications: an oscillating scanner bearing, a harmonic drive actuator mechanism, and a reaction wheel support bearing. The qualitative results from these tests have been verified by life test results and have provided insight into the function of various antiwear additives. Bearings, Lubricants, Bearing tests, Mechanisms, Harmonic drive actuators, Reaction wheels

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 15, 1993
Accession Number
ADA272943

Entities

People

  • Chris Kalogeras
  • David Carre
  • Mike Hilton
  • Paul Fleischauer
  • Stephen Didziulis

Organizations

  • The Aerospace Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Additives (Chemicals)
  • Auger Electron Spectroscopy
  • Auger Electrons
  • Boundary Layer
  • Case Studies
  • Electron Spectroscopy
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Friction
  • Life Tests
  • Lubricants
  • Measurement
  • Physical Properties
  • Spacecraft
  • Synthetic Oils
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Fixtures
  • Vapor Pressure

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Regression Analysis.
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Tribology (the study of the boundary interaction between sliding surfaces, lubrication, wear and friction).

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers