Wear & load capacity Lubricants with good film strength are required for space applications and ensure moving parts are coated to minimise contact and friction. MAC lubricants are known for providing exceptionally long life under both atmospheric and vacuum conditions.
The SRV (Oscillating, Friction & Wear) test rig measures the physical interactions between a lubricant and two specimens in a loaded contact in either rotational or linear oscillatory motion. The SRV can run custom tests with options that include rotational and linear oscillatory motion, tests up to 2,000 N load, 2,000 RPM, and a maximum temperature of 180 °C. Specimens include ball-on-disc, pin-on-disc, cylinder- on-disc, and custom geometries.
Particle generation
The term dynamic particle generation describes what happens when microparticles are created by being forced or expelled from a lubricated ball-screw, bearing, or gear system, into the operating environment. These particles could include base oil constituents, thickener particles, additives, etc. and are freed from the grease through dynamic mechanical action whether it be rolling, sliding, or a combination of both.
The Dynamic Particle Generation Test Rig is a proprietary test apparatus developed by Nye Lubricants that is used to classify lubricant particle generation into ISO and Federal cleanliness levels for Aerospace, semiconductor manufacturing, medical, and cleanroom applications. It utilises an ISO 3 clean air system, precision ball screw, and particle counter to characterise the number of particles down to 0.1 micron produced by various greases as the test is run.
Looking to the future
Space lubrication might be a highly specialised field, but the knowledge gained from developing these formulations can often be applied to other demanding applications on earth. For example, the equipment used to manufacture semiconductor products such as microprocessor and memory chips operates under vacuum and requires extreme precision and cleanliness.
www.nyelubricants.com
Advancements in lubrication technology must happen in tandem with changing mission requirements and the challenges of space design. Ensuring that the properties described above are considered during the formulation of space lubricants and validated during testing is key to ensuring the performance, reliability, and longevity of space systems.
Tony Dotson is currently the Aerospace Industry Manager at Nye Lubricants, a Member of the FUCHS Group, and plays an integral role in helping our customers find lubrication solutions for the aviation, space, and defense applications. Tony holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University and a Master of Science in Textile Technology from the Institute of Textile Technology.
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http://www.parabolicarc.com/2022/07/21/77-launches-conducted-during- first-half-of-2022-as-access-to-orbit-expanded/
LUBE MAGAZINE NO.172 DECEMBER 2022
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