Project Title:
Solid Lubricants for Aeronautics and Space Applications
04.12-3200
912096
Solid Lubricants for Aeronautics and Space Applications
Foster-Miller, Inc.
350 Second Avenue
Waltham
MA
02154-1196
Philip
Stark
617-890-3200
MSFC
NAS8-39320
057
04.12-3200
912096
Abstract:
Solid Lubricants for Aeronautics and Space Applications
This project investigates the use of improved cubic boron nitride (CBN) thin-films
as solid lubricants for long-term NASA space missions. The improved films are deposits
using the novel technique of laser ablation. The benefit expected is a new solid
lubricant film with significantly greater atomic oxygen resistance and longer life
than currently available in commercial products. CBN exhibits exceptional durability,
hardness second only to diamond, ultrahigh resistance to wear, and relatively low
coefficient of friction. Its resistance to attack by atomic oxygen should be better
than diamond. In addition, CBN thin-films can be deposited at temperatures significantly
lower than diamond films and on a greater variety of substrates. This unique combination
of properties makes CBN a prime candidate for use as a solid lubricant in long-term
space applications. Phase I will demonstrate the effectiveness of CBN as a solid
lubricant for NASA space applications. Commercially available, polycrystalline CBN
(pCBN) will be characterized in terms of its tribiological properties in the as-received
condition and after being subjected to atomic oxygen exposure. Simultaneously, pCBN
thin films will be fabricated by laser ablation and their performance compared to
bulk pCBN and commercially available (non-laser ablated) pCBN films.
Commercial applications would exist in the areas of aerospace structural components,
automotive engine components, machine tools, and fossil fuel recovery, and would
include solid lubricant coatings for a variety of mechanisms including gears, bearings,
pistons, actuators, and the like.
cubic boron nitride, solid lubricants, atomic oxygen protection, thin-films, friction
and wear