GLTRS--Glenn
TITLE AND SUBTITLE:
Tribological Properties of Polymer Films and Solid Bodies in a Vacuum Environment

AUTHOR(S):
Robert L. Fusaro

REPORT DATE:
May 1987

FUNDING NUMBERS:
WU-505-63-01-00

PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES):
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Lewis Research Center
Cleveland, Ohio 44135-3191

PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER:
E-3429

SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES):
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Washington, DC 20546-0001

REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED:
Technical Memorandum

SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY REPORT NUMBER:
NASA TM-88966

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES:
Prepared for the 1987 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Lubrication Engineers, Anaheim, California, May 11-14, 1987.

ABSTRACT:
The tribological properties of ten different polymer based materials were evaluated in a vacuum environment to determine their suitability for possible lubrication applications in a space environment, such as might be encountered on the proposed space station. A pinondisk tribometer was used and the polymer materials were evaluated either as solid body disks or as films applied to 440C HT stainless steel disks. A 440C HT stainless steel hemispherically tipped pin was slid against the polymer materials. For comparison, similar tests were conducted in a controlled air atmosphere of 50 percent relative humidity air. In most instances, the polymer materials lubricated much better under vacuum conditions than in air. Thus, several of the materials show promise as lubricants for vacuum applications. Friction coefficients of 0.05 or less and polymer material wear rates of up to 2 orders of magnitude less than found in air were obtained. One material showed considerable promise as a traction drive material. Relatively high friction coefficients (0.36 to 0.52) and reasonably low wear rates were obtained in vacuum.

SUBJECT TERMS:
Solid lubricant; Polymers; Friction; Wear; Vacuum; Space lubrication; Composites

NUMBER OF PAGES:
31

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1987/TM-88966.pdf
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