Effect of viscosity on rolling-element fatigue life at cryogenic temperature with fluorinated ether lubricants
Rolling-element fatigue tests were conducted with 12.7-mm-(1/2-in.-) diameter AISI 52100 steel balls in the NASA five-ball fatigue tester, with a maximum hertz stress of 5500 mN/m2 (800 000 psi), a shaft speed of 4750 rpm, lubricant temperature of 200 K (360 R), a contact angle of 20 deg, using four fluorinated ether lubricants of varying viscosities. No statistically significant differences in rolling-element fatigue life occurred using the four viscosity levels. Elastohydrodynamic calculations indicate that values of the lubricant film parameter were approximately 2 or greater.