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Comparison of Environmentally Friendly Space Compatible Grease to its Predecessor in a Space Mechanism Bearing Test RigPerfluoroakylpolyether (PFPE) greases are used extensively in critical flight hardware in a space environment. In the past, these greases have been processed using chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) based solvents. In response to the recent ban of CFC's, new formulations of environmentally friendly PFPE greases that are not processed with CFC based solvents were developed. The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of a new environmentally friendly formulation PFPE grease to a previously proven space compatible formulation PFPE grease. A one year test using 20 small electrical motors (two bearings per motor) was conducted in a high vacuum environment(2.0 x 10(exp 4)) Torr at a temperature of 90 C. Twenty bearings were lubricated with a new environmentally friendly formulation, and twenty bearings were lubricated with an old formulation. The mass of each lubricated bearing was measured both pre and post test. Along with mass loss measurements a profilometer trace was taken to measure post test wear of the bearings. In addition the bearings were visually examined and analyzed using an optical microscope.
Document ID
19980010227
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Jett, T. R.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Baker, M. A.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Thom, R. L.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Date Acquired
August 17, 2013
Publication Date
March 1, 1997
Publication Information
Publication: Second Aerospace Environmental Technology Conference
Subject Category
Nonmetallic Materials
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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