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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 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1995

Adhesion, friction, and wear behavior of clean metal-ceramic couples

When a clean metal is brought into contact with a clean, harder ceramic in ultrahigh vacuum, strong bonds form between the two materials. The interfacial bond strength between the metal and ceramic surfaces in sliding contact is generally greater than the cohesive bond strength in the metal. Thus, fracture of the cohesive bonds in the metal results when shearing occurs. These strong interfacial bonds and the shearing fracture in the metal are the main causes of the observed wear behavior and the transfer of the metal to the ceramic. In the literature, the surface energy (bond energy) per unit area of the metal is shown to be related to the degree of interfacial bond strength per unit area. Because the two materials of a metal-ceramic couple have markedly different ductilities, contact can cause considerable plastic deformation of the softer metal. It is the ductility of the metal, then, that determines the real area of contact. In general, the less ductile the metal, the smaller the real area of contact. The coefficient of friction for clean surfaces of metal-ceramic couples correlates with the metals total surface energy in the real area of contact gamma A (which is the product of the surface energy per unit area of the metal gamma and the real area of contact (A)). The coefficient of friction increases as gamma A increases. Furthermore, gamma A is associated with the wear and transfer of the metal at the metal-ceramic interface: the higher the value of gamma A, the greater the wear and transfer of the metal.

Miyoshi, Kazuhisa↗
NASA NTRS1973

The atomic nature of polymer-metal interactions in adhesion, friction and wear

Adhesion experiments with polytetra-fluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyimide contacting tungsten indicate that the polymers bond chemically to the clean metal surface. Polymer chain fragments which transfer to the surface of tungsten in field ion microscopy adhesion studies are highly oriented. Auger emission spectroscopy of PTFE transfer films to various metal surfaces indicates that the PTFE is bonded to the metal surface via the carbon atom. With PTFE in sliding contact with different orientations of aluminum, metal orientation is found to influence surfaces in sliding. The lowest friction and least amount of surface damage is detected on the highest atomic density (111) plane. The friction process itself can initiate polymer film formation from simple organic molecules.

Buckley, D. H.↗
DOE OSTI2018

An Investigation into the Effects of Process Conditions on the Tribological Performance of Pack Carburized Titanium with Limited Oxygen Diffusion

In the present study, a new pack carburization technique for titanium has been investigated. The aim of this treatment is to produce a titanium carbide/oxycarbide layer atop of an extended oxygen diffusion zone [α-Ti(O)]. The effects of treatment temperature and pack composition have been investigated in order to determine the optimal conditions required to grant the best tribological response. The resulting structural features were investigated with particular interest in the carbon and oxygen concentrations across the samples cross section. The optimization showed that a temperature of 925 °C with a pack composition of 1 part carbon to 1 part energizer produced surface capable of withstanding a contact pressure of ≈ 1.5 GPa for 1 h. The process resulted in TiC surface structure which offers enhanced hardness (2100 HV) and generates a low friction coefficient (μ ≈ 0.2) when in dry sliding contact with an alumina (Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}) ball. The process also produced an extended oxygen diffusion zone that helps to improve the load bearing capacity of the substrate.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1990

Experimentally determined wear behavior of an Al2O3-SiC composite from 25 to 1200 C

The sliding wear behavior of a self-mated alumina-silicon carbide whisker toughened composite was studied using optical, scanning electron (SEM) and transmission electron (TEM) microscopy. Because of its excellent strength and toughness properties this composite material is under consideration for use in heat engine applications for sliding contacts which operate at elevated temperatures. The composite's wear behavior and especially its wear mechanisms are not well understood. Pin-on-disk specimens were slid in air at 2.7 m/s sliding velocity, under a 26.5-N load, at temperatures 25 to 1200 C. Pin wear increased with increasing temperature. Based upon the microscopic analyses, the wear mechanism seems to be loosening of the reinforcing whiskers due to frictional and bulk heating. This leads to whisker pullout and increased wear.

Dellacorte, Christopher↗
DOE OSTI2018

Roles of sliding-induced defects and dissociated water molecules on low friction of graphene

Sliding contact experiments and first-principles calculations were performed to elucidate the roles of structural defects and water dissociative adsorption process on the tribo-chemical mechanisms responsible for low friction of graphene. Sliding friction tests conducted in ambient air and under a dry N2 atmosphere showed that in both cases a high running-in coefficient of friction (COF) occurred initially but a low steady-state COF was reached only when the sliding was continued in air with moisture. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicated that the energy barrier ( E B ) for dissociative adsorption of H 2 O was significantly lower in case of reconstructed graphene with a monovacancy compared to pristine graphene. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy of graphene transferred to the counterface revealed a partly amorphous structure incorporating damaged graphene layers with d-spacings larger than that of the original layers. DFT calculations on the reconstructed bilayer AB graphene systems revealed an increase of d-spacing due to the chemisorption of H, O, and OH at the vacancy sites and a reduction in the interlayer binding energy ( E B ) between the bilayer graphene interfaces compared to pristine graphene. Thus, sliding induced defects facilitated dissociative adsorption of water molecules and reduced COF of graphene for sliding tests under ambient and humid environments but not under an inert atmosphere.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗
NASA NTRS1979

Wide-temperature-spectrum self-lubricating coatings prepared by plasma spraying

Self-lubricating, multicomponent coatings, which lubricate over a wide range of operating conditions, are described. The coatings were successfully applied by plasma-spraying mixed powders onto superalloy substrates. They were evaluated in friction and wear experiments, and in sliding contact bearing tests. These coatings are wear resistant by virtue of their self lubricating characteristics rather than because of extreme hardness; a further benefit is low friction. Experiments with simple pin on disk sliding specimens and oscillating plain cylindrical bearing tests were performed to evaluate the tribological properties of the coatings. It was shown that coatings of nichrome, glass and calcium fluoride are self-lubricating from about 500 to 900 C, but give high friction at the lower temperatures. The addition of silver to the coating composition improved the low temperature bearing properties and resulted in coatings which are self-lubricating from cryogenic temperatures to at least 870 C; they are therefore, wide temperature spectrum, self-lubricating compositions.

Sliney, H. E.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Wide-temperature-spectrum self-lubricating coatings prepared by plasma spraying

Self-lubricating, multicomponent coatings, which lubricate over a wide range of operating conditions, are described. The coatings have been successfully applied by plasma-spraying mixed powders onto superalloy substrates. They have been evaluated in friction and wear experiments, and in sliding contact bearing tests. These coatings are wear resistant by virtue of their self-lubricating characteristics rather than because of extreme hardness; a further benefit is low friction. Experiments with simple pin on disk sliding specimens and oscillating plain cylindrical bearing tests were performed to evaluate the tribological properties of the coatings. It was shown that coatings of nichrome, glass and calcium fluoride are self-lubricating from about 500 to 900 C, but give high friction at the lower temperatures. The addition of silver to the coating composition improved the low temperature bearing properties and resulted in coatings which are self-lubricating from cryogenic temperatures to at least 870 C; they are therefore 'wide temperature spectrum,' self-lubricating compositions.

Sliney, H. E.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The atomic nature of polymer-metal interactions in adhesion, friction and wear

The adhesion, friction, and wear behavior of the solid polymers PTFE and polyimide in contact with various metals were studied using field ion microscopy, Auger emission spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Results indicate that the polymers will transfer to a clean tungsten surface on simple tough contact, forming a chemical bond. With PTFE, it is hypothesized that the bonding is of the carbon to the metal surface, while with the polyimide, both oxygen and carbon bonding to the tungsten surface are possible. In sliding contact, the friction process itself can initiate polymer film formation. The formation of such films has been suggested as a form of extreme pressure lubrication.

Buckley, D. H.↗
DOE OSTI2014

Experimental and computational studies on stacking faults in zinc titanate

Zinc titanate (ZnTiO{sub 3}) thin films grown by atomic layer deposition with ilmenite structure have recently been identified as an excellent solid lubricant, where low interfacial shear and friction are achieved due to intrafilm shear velocity accommodation in sliding contacts. In this Letter, high resolution transmission electron microscopy with electron diffraction revealed that extensive stacking faults are present on ZnTiO{sub 3} textured (104) planes. These growth stacking faults serve as a pathway for dislocations to glide parallel to the sliding direction and hence achieve low interfacial shear/friction. Generalized stacking fault energy plots also known as γ-surfaces were computed for the (104) surface of ZnTiO{sub 3} using energy minimization method with classical effective partial charge potential and verified by using density functional theory first principles calculations for stacking fault energies along certain directions. These two are in qualitative agreement but classical simulations generally overestimate the energies. In addition, the lowest energy path was determined to be along the [451{sup ¯}] direction and the most favorable glide system is (104) 〈451{sup ¯}〉 that is responsible for the experimentally observed sliding-induced ductility.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2019

Nonlinear Second Harmonics of Localized Shear Waves in an Anisotropic Layer Between Anisotropic Half Spaces Under the Conditions of Imperfect Contact

We construct a numerical-analytic solution of the problem of generation of the nonlinear second harmonics in the course of propagation of elastic symmetric localized shear waves in the crystalline layer of cubic system of the m3m class located between the crystalline half spaces of the same type and the same class of anisotropy under the conditions of imperfect sliding contact of components of the waveguide. We determine the analytic form of the functions of wave motions for nonlinear anharmonic perturbations in the form of longitudinal-shear-type waves. We also perform the numerical investigations of the amplitude-frequency characteristics of the second harmonics for monochromatic localized waves in a layer of a single crystal of germanium between the half spaces from the single crystal of silicon.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS1986

Effect of crystallographical and geometrical changes of a ferrite head on magnetic signals during the sliding process with magnetic tape

This paper reviews changes in the crystalline structure and geometry of lapped Mn-Zn ferrite heads in sliding contact with magnetic tape and the effects of these changes on magnetic signals. A highly textured, polycrystalline structure was produced on the surface of a single-crystal Mn-Zn ferrite head when it was finished with an aluminum oxide lapping tape. Sliding this lapped surface against a magnetic tape produced a nearly amorphous structure. The sliding process led to a degradation in readback signal of 1 to 2 dB (short-wavelength recording). Furthermore, wear of the magnetic head caused geometrical changes in the head surface. The signal read back with the worn magnetic head was sensitive to operating parameters such as head displacement and tape tension. A change in operating parameters created head-to-tape spacings and, consequently, excessive gains or losses in the readback signal.

Miyoshi, K.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Spacecraft-borne long life cryogenic refrigeration: Status and trends

The status of cryogenic refrigerator development intended for, or possibly applicable to, long life spacecraft-borne application is reviewed. Based on these efforts, the general development trends are identified. Using currently projected technology needs, the various trends are compared and evaluated. The linear drive, non-contacting bearing Stirling cycle refrigerator concept appears to be the best current approach that will meet the technology projection requirements for spacecraft-borne cryogenic refrigerators. However, a multiply redundant set of lightweight, moderate life, moderate reliability Stirling cycle cryogenic refrigerators using high-speed linear drive and sliding contact bearings may possibly suffice.

Johnson, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Rugged Iris Mechanism

A rugged iris mechanism has been designed to satisfy several special requirements, including a wide aperture in the "open" position, full obscuration in the "closed" position, ability to function in a cryogenic or other harsh environment, and minimization of friction through minimization of the number of components. An important element of the low-friction aspect of the design is maximization of the flatness of, and provision of small gaps between, adjacent iris blades. The tolerances of the design can be very loose, accommodating thermal expansions and contractions associated with large temperature excursions. The design is generic in that it is adaptable to a wide range of aperture sizes and can be implemented in a variety of materials to suit the thermal, optical, and mechanical requirements of various applications. The mechanism (see figure) includes an inner flat ring, an outer flat ring, and an even number of iris blades. The iris blades shown in front in the figure are denoted as "upper," and the iris blades shown partly hidden behind the front ones are denoted as "lower." Each iris blade is attached to the inner ring by a pivot assembly and to the outer ring by a roller/slider assembly. The upper and lower rings are co-centered and are kept in sliding contact. The iris is opened or closed by turning the outer ring around the center while holding the inner ring stationary. The mechanism is enclosed in a housing (not shown in the figure) that comprises an upper and a lower housing shell. The housing provides part of the sliding support for the outer ring and keeps the two rings aligned as described above. The aforementioned pivot assemblies at the inner ring also serve as spacers for the housing. The lower housing shell contains part of the lower sliding surface and features for mounting the overall mechanism and housing assembly. The upper housing shell contains part of the upper sliding surface.

Ferragut, Nelson J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Ceramic wear in indentation and sliding

The various wear mechanisms involved with single-crystal ceramic materials in indentation and in sliding contacts. Experiments simulating interfacial events have been conducted with hemispherical, conical and pyramidal indenters (riders). With spherical riders, under either abrasive or adhesive conditions, two types of fracture pits have been observed. First, spherical-shaped fracture pits and wear particles are found as a result of either indenting or sliding. These are shown to be due to a spherical-shaped fracture along the circular or spherical stress trajectories. Second, polyhedral fracture pits and debris, produced by anisotropic fracture, and also found both during indenting and sliding. These are primarily controlled by surface and subsurface cracking along cleavage planes. Several quantitative results have also been obtained from this work. For example, using a pyramidal diamond, crack length of Mn-Zn ferrite in the indentation process grows linearly with increasing normal load. Moreover, the critical load to fracture both in indentation and sliding is essentially isotropic and is found to be directly proportional to the indenter radius.

Miyoshi, K.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Effect of sliding speed and contact stress on tribological properties of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene

A pin on disk apparatus was used to investigate the effect of sliding speed on the friction, wear, and transfer film characteristics of hemispherically tipped AISI 440C high temperature (HT) stainless steel riders sliding against ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) disks. The surface morphology of the wear track was studied to determine possible wear mechanisms. Geometry effects were determined by comparing the results to those of others who used different specimen configurations. The results indicate that sliding speed, sliding distance, contact stress, and specimen geometry can all markedly influence the tribological properties of UHMWPE.

Fusaro, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Industry Needs Fulfilled by Patented NASA PS300 Solid Lubricant Technology

In 1999, the NASA Glenn Research Center was awarded a patent (#5866518) for a new high-temperature solid lubricant coating material, PS300. A combination of wear-resistant metals and ceramics with solid lubricant additives, PS300 reduces friction and wear in sliding contacts from below ambient to over 650 C. This lubricant is an outgrowth of over three decades of high-temperature tribological research and was specifically developed as a shaft lubricant to protect foil air bearings used in Oil-Free turbomachinery, like gas turbines. Foil bearings are lubricated by air at high speeds but experience sliding and wear during initial startup and shut down when a lubricating film of air has not yet developed. PS300 shaft coatings have successfully lubricated foil bearings for over 100 000 cycles without wearing out.

DellaCorte, Christopher↗
DOE OSTI2016

Carbon-based tribofilms from lubricating oils

Moving mechanical interfaces are commonly lubricated and separated by a combination of fluid films and solid 'tribofilms', which together ensure easy slippage and long wear life(1). The efficacy of the fluid film is governed by the viscosity of the base oil in the lubricant; the efficacy of the solid tribofilm, which is produced as a result of sliding contact between moving parts, relies upon the effectiveness of the lubricant's anti-wear additive (typically zinc dialkyldithiophosphate)(2). Minimizing friction and wear continues to be a challenge, and recent efforts have focused on enhancing the anti-friction and anti-wear properties of lubricants by incorporating inorganic nanoparticles and ionic liquids(3,4). Here, we describe the in operando formation of carbon-based tribofilms via dissociative extraction from base-oil molecules on catalytically active, sliding nanometre-scale crystalline surfaces, enabling base oils to provide not only the fluid but also the solid tribofilm. We study nanocrystalline catalytic coatings composed of nitrides of either molybdenum or vanadium, containing either copper or nickel catalysts, respectively. Structurally, the resulting tribofilms are similar to diamond-like carbon(5). Ball-on-disk tests at contact pressures of 1.3 gigapascals reveal that these tribofilms nearly eliminate wear, and provide lower friction than tribofilms formed with zinc dialkyldithiophosphate. Reactive and ab initio molecular-dynamics simulations show that the catalytic action of the coatings facilitates dehydrogenation of linear olefins in the lubricating oil and random scission of their carbon-carbon backbones; the products recombine to nucleate and grow a compact, amorphous lubricating tribofilm.

Erdemir, Ali↗
DOE OSTI2024

Competition Between Growth and Removal in Zirconia Nanocrystal-Derived Tribofilms: The Role of Co-additives

Antiwear additives permit energy-efficient lubrication of gearboxes, bearings, and other tribological interfaces. We study zirconia (ZrO 2 ) nanocrystal additives, which readily form protective tribofilms in tribological contacts. Our prior work demonstrated cooperative antiwear performance between ZrO 2 and the S- and P-based co-additives in fully formulated hydrocarbon gear oils. Here, we extend that work by examining the growth kinetics of the ZrO 2 tribofilms, including the influence of the co-additives. In the boundary lubrication regime for mixed rolling-sliding contacts, the initial phase of ZrO 2 tribofilm growth is soon overtaken by removal processes, phenomena whose importance has gone unnoticed in prior work. Tribofilm removal affects the steady-state thickness and morphology of the tribofilm as well as its growth kinetics. The S- and P-based co-additives are incorporated into the ZrO 2 tribofilm, and alter the competition between the growth and removal processes, increasing initial net growth rates per contact cycle and contributing to a more polished final interface. This work highlights the significance of removal processes in determining tribofilm antiwear performance, and suggests several routes for improving tribofilm growth kinetics using co-additives.

Coadditives↗