SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “LUBRICATION”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,081 records · Page 60

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1977

Elastohydrodynamic lubrication of elliptical contacts for materials of low elastic modulus. I - Fully flooded conjunction

A complete numerical solution is presented to the problem of isothermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication of elliptical contacts for low-elastic-modulus materials operating under fully loaded conditions. No assumption is made for the pressure or film thickness within the contact, and compressibility and viscous effects are taken into account. Because of the dimensionless representation of the coordinates, the actual Hertzian contact ellipse becomes a circle regardless of the value of the ellipticity parameter. A minimum-film-thickness relation and a central-film-thickness relation are derived from examining 17 different cases. Contour plots for detailed illustration of the pressure distribution and film thickness in the conjunction are provided.

Hamrock, B. J.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Principles of ESCA and applications to metal corrosion, coating and lubrication

The principles of ESCA (electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis) are described by comparison with other spectroscopic techniques. The advantages and disadvantages of ESCA as compared to other surface sensitive analytical techniques are evaluated. The use of ESCA is illustrated by actual applications to oxidation of steel and Rene 41, the chemistry of lubricant additives on steel, and the composition of sputter deposited hard coatings. Finally, a bibliography of material that is useful for further study of ESCA is presented and commented upon.

Wheeler, D. R.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Bearing, gearing, and lubrication technology

Results of selected NASA research programs on rolling-element and fluid-film bearings, gears, and elastohydrodynamic lubrication are reported. Advances in rolling-element bearing material technology, which have resulted in a significant improvement in fatigue life, and which make possible new applications for rolling bearings, are discussed. Research on whirl-resistant, fluid-film bearings, suitable for very high-speed applications, is discussed. An improved method for predicting gear pitting life is reported. An improved formula for calculating the thickness of elastohydrodynamic films (the existence of which help to define the operating regime of concentrated contact mechanisms such as bearings, gears, and cams) is described.

Anderson, W. J.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Additional aspects of elastohydrodynamic lubrication

Elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) for materials of low elastic modulus is considered. Engineering applications in which EHL is important for low-elastic-modulus materials include seals, human joints, tires, and elastomeric-material machine elements. Theoretical solutions of the problem of fully flooded line contacts in the case of low-elastic-materials are discussed. The equation regarding dimensionless minimum film thickness for fully flooded elliptical contacts for low elastic modulus is compared with the corresponding equation for materials of high elastic modulus. The powers of the dimensionless speed parameter U are quite similar in both equations, but the power of the dimensionless load parameter W is much more significant for low-elastic-modulus materials. Attention is given to aspects of dimensionless grouping, the isoviscous rigid regime, the viscous rigid regime, the isoviscous elastic regime, and the viscous elastic regime.

Hamrock, B. J.↗

NASA NTRS1980

RF-sputtered and ion-plated solid lubricants

Report reviews advances in tribological uses of RF-sputtered and ion-plated films of solid film lubricants (laminar solids, soft metals, organic polymers) and wear-resistant refractory compounds.

Spalvins, T.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Two-dimensional random surface model for asperity-contact in elastohydrodynamic lubrication

Relations for the asperity-contact time function during elastohydrodynamic lubrication of a ball bearing are presented. The analysis is based on a two-dimensional random surface model, and actual profile traces of the bearing surfaces are used as statistical sample records. The results of the analysis show that transition from 90 percent contact to 1 percent contact occurs within a dimensionless film thickness range of approximately four to five. This thickness ratio is several times large than reported in the literature where one-dimensional random surface models were used. It is shown that low pass filtering of the statistical records will bring agreement between the present results and those in the literature.

Coy, J. J.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Plasma-sprayed coatings for lubrication of a titanium alloy in air at 430 deg C

Plasma sprayed coatings of pure silver and of composite materials containing silver were investigated as possible self lubricating coatings for titanium alloys in air at 430 C. Pure silver provided low friction but was prone to severe plastic deformation and excessive transfer except in coating thicknesses of 0.02 mm or less. Additions of nichrome, calcium fluoride, and glass to silver were all beneficial in reducing plastic deformation and otherwise improving the coatings. The longest coating wear life, low wear of Ti alloy pins in sliding contact with the coatings, and a steady friction coefficient of 0.19 were obtained with a four component coating of 0.17 mm thickness. The coating composition, in weight percent is 30 nichrome-30 Ag-25 CaF2-15 glass.

Sliney, H. E.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Evaluation and auger analysis of a zinc-dialkyl-dithiophosphate antiwear additive in several diester lubricants

The wear of pure iron in sliding contact with hardened M-2 tool steel was measured for a series of synthetic diester fluids, both with and without a zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDP) antiwear additive, as test lubricants. Selected wear scars were analyzed by an Auger emission spectroscopy (AES) depth profiling technique in order to assess the surface film elemental composition. The ZDP was an effective antiwear additive for all the diesters except dibutyl oxalate and dibutyl sebacate. The high wear measured for the additive-containing oxalate was related to corrosion; the higher wear measured for the additive-containing sebacate was due to an oxygen interaction. The AES of dibutyl sebacate surfaces run in dry air and in dry nitrogen showed large differences only in the amount of oxygen present. The AES of worn surfaces where the additive was effective showed no zinc, only a little phosphorus, and large amounts of sulfur.

Brainard, W. A.↗

NASA NTRS1978

The practical impact of elastohydrodynamic lubrication

Elastohydrodynamic lubrication has had its most significant impact on, among all the types of concentrated contact mechanisms, rolling element bearings. EHL technology, through its inclusion in computer codes, now provides us with more effective methods for optimizing bearing design and for predicting bearing life, power loss, temperature and dynamic behavior. Bearing life prediction has advanced to a much more sophisticated level as compared to the calculation of fatigue life based on Lundberg-Palmgren theory. Application of elastohydrodynamics to gearing has, more or less, been limited to the calculation of pitch point film thicknesses. Techniques for calculating film thicknesses over the entire range of tooth meshes for arbitrarily shaped gear teeth (noninvolute, spur, helical, etc.) need to be developed. Elastomer seals with both unidirectional and reciprocating motion offer a fruitful application for the elastohydrodynamics of low modulus materials.

Anderson, W. J.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Development of surface coatings for air-lubricated, compliant journal bearings to 650 C

Surface coatings for an air-lubricated, compliant journal for an automotive gas turbine engine were tested to find those capable of withstanding temperatures of either 540 C (1000 F) or 650 C (1200 F). Also, the coatings have to be capable of surviving the start-stop sliding contact cycles prior to rotor lift-off and at touchdown. Selected coating combinations were tested in start-stop tests at 14 kPa (2 psi) loading for 2000 cycles at room and maximum temperatures. Specific coating recommendations are: Cdo and graphite on foil versus chrome carbide on journal up to 370 C (700 F); NASA PS-120 (Tribaloy 400, silver, and CaF2) on journal versus uncoated foil up to 540 C (1000 F); and chemically adherent Cr2O3 on journal and foil up to 650 C (1200 F). The chemically adherent Cr2O3 coating system was further tested successfully at 35 kPa (5 psi) loading for 2000 start-stop cycles.

Bhushan, B.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Coatings for wear and lubrication

In this paper we review the recent advances in the tribological uses of R.F.-sputtered and ion-plated films of solid film lubricants (laminar solids, soft metals, organic polymers) and wear-resistant refractory compounds (carbides, nitrides, silicides). The sputtering and ion-plating potentials and the corresponding coatings formed are evaluated relative to the friction coefficient, wear endurance life and mechanical properties. The tribological and mechanical properties of each kind of film are discussed in terms of film adherence, coherence, density, grain size, morphology, internal stresses and thickness and substrate conditions such as temperature, topography, chemistry and d.c. biasing. The ion-plated metallic films in addition to improved tribological properties also have better mechanical properties such as tensile strength and fatigue life.

Spalvins, T.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Mechanisms of graphite fluoride /CFx/n lubrication

Friction, wear and wear life results were compared with optical microscope observations as a function of sliding distance for graphite fluoride rubbed films applied to three surface finishes - polished, sanded and sandblasted. The lubricating process consisted of the plastic flow of thin films of graphite fluoride between flat areas on the rider and on the metallic substrate. If the substrate was rough, flat areas were created during run-in, and the graphite fluoride (CFx)n flowed across them. Wear life was enhanced by restricting radial (or transverse) flow of the graphite fluoride from the contact region by increasing surface roughness. Valleys in the roughened substrate surface served as a reservoir for graphite fluoride and as a deposit site for wear debris. Failure resulted from the gradual depletion of graphite fluoride from the contact region with the subsequent formation of powdery metallic debris that covered both rider and disk surfaces

Fusaro, R. L.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Two-dimensional random surface model for asperity-contact in elastohydrodynamic lubrication

Relations for the asperity-contact time fraction during elastohydrodynamic lubrication of a ball bearing are presented. The analysis is based on a two-dimensional random surface model, and actual profile traces of the bearing surfaces are used as statistical sample records. The results of the analysis show that transition from 90 percent contact to 1 percent contact occurs within a dimensionless film thickness range of approximately four to five. This thickness ratio is several times larger than reported in the literature where one-dimensional random surface models were used. It is shown that low pass filtering of the statistical records will bring agreement between the present results and those in the literature.

Coy, J. J.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Fourier emission infrared microspectrophotometer for surface analysis. I - Application to lubrication problems

A far-infrared interferometer was converted into an emission microspectrophotometer for surface analysis. To cover the mid-infrared as well as the far-infrared the Mylar beamsplitter was made replaceable by a germanium-coated salt plate, and the Moire fringe counting system used to locate the moveable Michelson mirror was improved to read 0.5 micron of mirror displacement. Digital electronics and a dedicated minicomputer were installed for data collection and processing. The most critical element for the recording of weak emission spectra from small areas was, however, a reflecting microscope objective and phase-locked signal detection with simultaneous referencing to a blackbody source. An application of the technique to lubrication problems is shown.

Lauer, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Self-lubricating gearset

Gearset fabricated from molybdenum sulfide filled polyimide allows attention-free operation in vacuum and at extreme temperatures. Ring gear drives pinion gear on shaft in skewed-axis arrangement. Because loads are shared among multiple meshing teeth, self-lubricating material is strong enough to accomodate high gear ratio.

Binge, D. S.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Determination of physical and chemical states of lubricants in concentrated contacts, part 1

A Fourier emission infrared microspectrometer, set up on a vibration-proof optical table and interfaced to a dedicated minicomputer, was used to record infrared emission spectra from elastohydrodynamic bearing contacts. Its range was extended to cover the entire mid-infrared from 2 to 15 micron. A series of experiments with 5P4E polyphenyl ether showed the existence of a temperature gradient through the lubricant in an ehd contact, which is perpendicular to the flow direction. The experiments also show marked polarization of some of the spectral bands, indicating a molecular alignment. Alignment is less evident at high pressure than at low pressure. To account for this behavior, a model is suggested along the lines developed for the conformational changes observed in long-chain polymers when subjected to increased pressure--to accommodate closer packing, molecules become kinked and curl up. Experiments with a traction fluid showed periodic changes of flow pattern associated with certain spectral changes. These observations will be studied further. A study by infrared attenuated total reflection spectrophotometry was undertaken to determine whether gamma irradiation would change polyethylene wear specimens. The results were negative.

Lauer, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Mechanisms of UK radiometers flown on Nimbus 5 and 6 with particular reference to bearings, pivots and lubrication

The mechanisms incorporated in the vertical sounding infrared radiometry experiments which were launched on Nimbus 5 in 1972 and on Nimbus 6 in 1975 are discussed. Both use dry lubricants. The Nimbus 5 radiometer includes a rotating chopper driven via a carbon fiber-acetal resin gearwheel. The driving motor runs at 2000 rpm and has completed over 7 x 10 to the 9th power revolutions. Four gear driven filter wheels powered by stepper motors have each completed 2 x 10 to the 8th power changes. The input calibration mirror mechanism and its field of view compensation mechanisms are also described. All 25 ball races used in the experiment are of the film transfer type. The Nimbus 6 radiometer includes two cells. Each contains a piston supported on diaphragm springs and driven electromagnetically. The pistons are 6 cm in diameter with a stroke of 1 cm and are driven at their mechanical resonant frequency of approx. 15 Hz. The calibrating mirrors rotate periodically to view a target. The support pivots are synthetic sapphire ring stones with separate end thrust stones. The problems of mounting these stones to withstand vibration loads is described.

Hadley, H.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Starved elastohydrodynamic lubricated elliptical contacts

A theoretical study of the influence of lubricant starvation on film thickness and pressure in hard and soft elliptical elastohydrodynamic contacts is presented. From the results for both hard and soft EHL contacts a simple and important dimensionless inlet boundary distance is specified. This inlet boundary defines whether a fully flooded or a starved condition exists in the contact. Furthermore it is found that the film thickness for a starved condition could be written in dimensionless terms as a function of the inlet distance parameter and the film thickness for a fully flooded condition. Contour plots of pressure and film thickness in and around the contact are shown for fully flooded and starved conditions. The theoretical findings are compared directly with results obtained experimentally.

Hamrock, B. J.↗