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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.

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At least 469 records · Page 26
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NASA NTRS1980

Thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication of spur gears

An analysis and computer program called TELSGE were developed to predict the variations of dynamic load, surface temperature, and lubricant film thickness along the contacting path during the engagement of a pair of involute spur gears. The analysis of dynamic load includes the effect of gear inertia, the effect of load sharing of adjacent teeth, and the effect of variable tooth stiffness which are obtained by a finite-element method. Results obtained from TELSGE for the dynamic load distributions along the contacting path for various speeds of a pair of test gears show patterns similar to that observed experimentally. Effects of damping ratio, contact ratio, tip relief, and tooth error on the dynamic load were examined. In addition, two dimensionless charts are included for predicting the maximum equilibrium surface temperature, which can be used to estimate directly the lubricant film thickness based on well established EHD analysis.

Wang, K. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Effects of supply conditions on film thickness in lubricated Hertzian contacts

A generalization of the hydrodynamic expression for Hertzian contacts is described and various methods for calculating the thickness of the oil film winter steady-state, isothermal conditions are given. This is important for engineering applications such as gears and bearings because these results are closer to real operating conditions. Theories of lubrication are discussed, and the mathematics involved are presented using approximately 30 equations and 13 figures. For lubricated, linear, elliptical or point Hertzian contacts it is demonstrated how to calculate the thickness of the oil film at the center of the contact for steady-state isothermal conditions.

Dalmaz, G.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Lubrication of optimized-design tapered-roller bearings to 2.4 million DN

The performance of 120.65 mm (4.75 in.) bore high speed design, tapered roller bearings was investigated at shaft speeds to 20,000 rpm (2.4 million DN) under combined thrust and radial load. The test bearing design was computer optimized for high speed operation. Temperature distribution bearing heat generation were determined as a function of shaft speed, radial and thrust loads, lubricant flow rates, and lubricant inlet temperature. The high speed design, tapered roller bearing operated successfully at shaft speeds up to 20,000 rpm under heavy thrust and radial loads. Bearing temperatures and heat generation with the high speed design bearing were significantly less than those of a modified standard bearing tested previously. Cup cooling was effective in decreasing the high cup temperatures to levels equal to the cone temperature.

Parker, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Boundary lubrication, thermal and oxidative stability of a fluorinated polyether and a perfluoropolyether triazine

Boundary lubricating characteristics, thermal stability and oxidation-corrosion stability were determined for a fluorinated polyether and a perfluoropolyether triazine. A ball-on-disk apparatus, a tensimeter and oxidation-corrosion apparatus were used. Results were compared to data for a polyphenyl ether and a C-ether. The polyether and triazine yielded better boundary lubricating characteristics than either the polyphenyl ether or C-ether. The polyphenyl ether had the greatest thermal stability (443 C) while the other fluids had stabilities in the range 389 to 397 C. Oxidation-corrosion results indicated the following order of stabilities: perfluoropolyether triazine greater than polyphenylether greater than C-ether greater than fluorinated polyether.

Jones, W. R., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Effect of Substrate Surface Finish on the Lubrication and Failure Mechanisms of Molybdenum Disulfide Films

An optical microscope was used to study the lubrication and failure mechanisms of rubbed (burnished) MoS2 films applied to three substrate surface finishes - polished, sanded, and sandblasted - as a function of sliding distance. The lubrication mechanism was the plastic flow of thin films of MoS2 between flat plateaus on the rider and on the metallic substrate. If the substrates were rough, flat plateaus were created during 'run in' and the MoS2 flowed across them. Wear life was extended by increasing surface roughness since valleys in the roughened substrate served as reservoirs for MoS2 and a deposit site for wear debris. In moist air, the failure mechanism was the transformation of metallic colored MoS2 films to a black, powdery material that was found by X ray diffraction to consist primarily of alpha iron and MoO3 powders. In dry argon, the failure mechanism was the gradual depletion of the MoS2 film from the contact region by transverse flow. Analysis of the wear debris on the wear track at failure showed it consisted mainly of alpha iron and some residual MoS2. No molybdenum oxides were found.

Fusaro, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Dynamics of solid dispersions in oil during the lubrication of point of contacts. Part 2: Molybdenum disulfide

A Hertzian contact consisting of a steel ball in contact with a glass disk is lubricated with MoS2 dispersions and observed by optical microscopy at various slide/roll conditions. In general the behavior of MoS2 and graphite are similar. That is, the solids tend to enter the contact and form a film on the contacting surfaces whenever a rolling component of motion is used, but solid particles seldom enter the contact during pure sliding. The MoS2 has more pronounced plastic flow behavior than graphite. However, the polished steel ball is more readily scratched by MoS2 than by graphite. Under the conditions of these studies, lower friction and wear are observed with pure oil rather than with the dispersions. However under other conditions (such as different contact geometry or rougher surfaces) the solid lubricant dispersions might be beneficial.

Cusano, C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Steady-state boundary lubrication with formulated C-ethers to 260 C

Steady state wear and friction studies were made at boundary lubrication conditions in a pin on disk (pure iron on rotating CVM M 50 steel) sliding friction apparatus with five C ether formulated fluids (modified polyphenyl ether containing phosphrous ester, organic acid, and other additives). Conditions included 20, 150, and 260 C disk temperatures, dry air test atmosphere, 1 kilogram load, 50 rpm disk speed, and test times to 130 minutes. Results were compared with those obtained with a formulated MIL L 27502 candidate ester and the C ether base fluid. Three of the C ether formulations gave better lubrication than both reference fluids under most conditions. The other two C ether formulations yielded higher wear rates and friction coefficients than the C ether base fluid for most of the temperature range. Only one C ether formulation showed consistently higher steady state wear rates than the ester.

Loomis, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Analysis of starvation effects on hydrodynamic lubrication in nonconforming contacts

Numerical methods were used to determine the effects of lubricant starvation on the minimum film thickness under conditions of a hydrodynamic point contact. Starvation was effected by varying the fluid inlet level. The Reynolds boundary conditions were applied at the cavitation boundary and zero pressure was stipulated at the meniscus or inlet boundary. A minimum-fill-thickness equation as a function of both the ratio of dimensionless load to dimensionless speed and inlet supply level was determined. By comparing the film generated under the starved inlet condition with the film generated from the fully flooded inlet, an expression for the film reduction factor was obtained. Based on this factor a starvation threshold was defined as well as a critically starved inlet. The changes in the inlet pressure buildup due to changing the available lubricant supply are presented in the form of three dimensional isometric plots and also in the form of contour plots.

Brewe, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Effect of substrate surface finish on the lubrication and failure mechanisms of molybdenum disulfide films

An optical microscope was used to study the lubrication and failure mechanisms of rubbed (burnished) MoS2 films applied to three substrate surface finishes - polished, sanded, and sandblasted - as a function of sliding distance. The lubrication mechanism was the plastic flow of thin films of MoS2 between flat plateaus on the rider and on the metallic substrate. If the substrate was rough, flat plateaus were created during 'run-in' and the MoS2 flowed across them. Wear life was extended by increasing surface roughness since valleys in the roughened substrate served as reservoirs for MoS2 and a deposit site for wear debris. In moist air, the failure mechanism was the transformation of metallic-colored MoS2 films to a black, powdery material that was found by X-ray diffraction to consist primarily of alpha-iron and MoO3 powders. In dry argon, the failure mechanism was the gradual depletion of the MoS2 film from the contact region by transverse flow. Analysis of the wear debris on the wear track at failure showed it consisted mainly of alpha-iron and some residual MoS2. No molybdenum oxides were found.

Fusaro, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Geometry and starvation effects in hydrodynamic lubrication

Numerical methods were used to determine the effects of lubricant starvation on the minimum film thickness under conditions of a hydrodynamic point contact. Starvation was effected by varying the fluid inlet level. The Reynolds boundary conditions were applied at the cavitation boundary and zero pressure was stipulated at the meniscus or inlet boundary. A minimum-film-thickness equation as a function of both the ratio of dimensionless load to dimensionless speed and inlet supply level was determined. By comparing the film generated under the starved inlet condition with the film generated from the fully flooded inlet, an expression for the film reduction factor was obtained. Based on this factor a starvation threshold was defined as well as a critically starved inlet. The changes in the inlet pressure buildup due to changing the available lubricant supply are presented in the form of three dimensional isometric plots and also in the form of contour plots.

Brewe, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Improved boundary lubrication with formulated C-ethers

A comparison of five recently developed C-ether-formulated fluids with an advanced formulated MIL-L-27502 candidate ester is described. Steady state wear and friction measurements were made with a sliding pin on disk friction apparatus. Conditions included disk temperatures up to 260 C, dry air test atmosphere, 1 kilogram load, 50 rpm disk speed, and test times to 130 minutes. Based on wear rates and coefficients of friction, three of the C-ether formulations as well as the C-ether base fluid gave better boundary lubrication than the ester fluid under all test conditions. The susceptibility of C-ethers to selective additive treatment (phosphinic esters or acids and other antiwear additives) was demonstrated when two of the formulations gave somewhat improved lubrication over the base fluid. The increased operating potential for this fluid was shown in relationship to bulk oil temperature limits for MIL-L-23699 and MIL-L-27502 type esters.

Loomis, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Regimes of traction in concentrated contact lubrication

Experimental evidence is presented for the existence of three regimes of traction in concentrated contacts. Data are obtained in a rolling contact simulator by varying the lubricant, temperature, rolling speed, load and surface roughness at a fixed slide-to-roll ratio. At lower thicknesses the mixed regime is encountered, and traction is increased due to asperity interaction, while at higher film thicknesses, the lubricant pressure is distributed over a greater area than the Hertzian region, resulting in a lower average pressure and reduced traction.

Bair, S.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Analysis of starvation effects on hydrodynamic lubrication in nonconforming contacts

The effects of lubricant starvation on minimum film thickness, under conditions of a hydrodynamic point contact, are determined by numerical methods where: (1) starvation is effected by varying the fluid inlet level; (2) the Reynolds boundary conditions are applied at the cavitation boundary; and (3) zero pressure is stipulated at the meniscus or inlet boundary. Seventy-four cases were used to numerically determine a minimum-film-thickness equation, as a function of the ratio of dimensionless load to dimensionless speed for varying degrees of starvation. A film reduction factor was in turn determined as a function of the fluid inlet level, and a starved, fully-flooded boundary was defined along with an expression determining the onset of starvation. It is found that as the degree of starvation increases, the minimum film thickness decreases gradually until the fluid inlet becomes critical. The changes in the inlet pressure buildup due to changing the available lubricant supply are presented in the form of three-dimensional isometric plots.

Brewe, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Air-Lubricated Lead Screw

Air lubricated lead screw and nut carefully machined to have closely matched closely fitting threads. Compressed air injected into two plenums encircle nut and flow through orifices to lubricate mating threads. Originally developed to position precisely interferometer retroreflector for airborne measurement of solar infrared radiation, device now has positioning accuracy of 0.25 micron.

Perkins, G. S.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Geometry and starvation effects in hydrodynamic lubrication

Numerical methods were used to detemine the effects of lubricant starvation on the minimum film thickness under conditions of a hydrodynamic point contact. Starvation was effected by varying the fluid inlet level. The Reynolds boundary conditions were applied at the cavitation boundary and zero pressure was stipulated at the meniscus or inlet boundary. A minimum film thickness equation as a function of both the ratio of dimensionless load to dimensionless speed and inlet supply level was determined. By comparing the film generated under the starved inlet condition with the film generated from the fully flooded inlet, an expression for the film reduction factor was obtained. Based on this factor a starvation threshold was defined as well as a critically starved inlet. The changes in the inlet pressure buildup due to changing the available lubricant supply are presented in the form of three dimensional isometric plots and also in the form of contour plots.

Brewe, D.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Determination of physical and chemical states of lubricants in concentrated contacts, part 3

Solid and liquid thin films were analyzed by infrared emission Fourier microspectrophotometry. The apparatus used is a commercial absorption instrument modified to an emission instrument, comprising a rotating polarizing device, a miniature blackbody temperature reference adjustable in temperature and radiant flux and a microscope lens with a high numerical aperture in the entrance system for increased sensitivity and resolution. Studies of lubricant behavior in a simulated ball bearing showed the alignment of the fluid molecules in the Hertzian area. Polyphenyl ether plus 1% 1,1,2-trichloroethane (TCE) required lower shear rates for the same degree of alignment than without TCE. The experiment was run with 440 C stainless steel balls coated with TiN, a chemically inert material. In both cases, the alignment was strongly influenced by the presence of TCE. The results showed (1) the dependence of alignment of fluid molecules on flow and not on adsorption at metallic surfaces, (2) phase separation between lubricant and additive under high pressure which results in two phase flow and (3) reduction in traction of torque transmitting (traction) fluids.

Lauer, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Elastohydrodynamic lubrication of rectangular contacts

An isothermal elastohydrodynamically lubricated rectangular contact was evaluated numerically. This required the simultaneous solution of the elasticity and Reynolds equations. In the elasticity analysis the contact zone was divided into equal rectangular areas, and it was assumed that a uniform pressure was applied over each area. The elastohydrodynamic lubrication theory thus developed was used to investigate the influence of the dimensionless speed, load, and materials parameters on minimum film thickness. Ten cases were used in obtaining the minimum film thickness formula. Plots are shown that indicate the details of the pressure distribution, film shape, and flow. The characteristic pressure spike is clearly in evidence as is the parallel film shape through the central portion of the contact, with a minimum film thickness occurring near the outlet of the contact.

Hamrock, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Lubrication background

Surface topography, including the various physical methods of measuring surfaces, and the various lubrication regimes (hydrodynamic, elastohydrodynamic, boundary, and mixed) are discussed. The historical development of elastohydrodynamic lubrication is outlined. The major accomplishments in four periods, the pre-1950's, the 1950's, the 1960's, and the 1970's are presented.

Hamrock, B. J.↗