In situ and on-demand lubrication by tribo-coating for space applications

Abstract

A self-restoring lubrication system with an in situ and on-demand controllable lubrication method is required to improve reliability and to overcome unexpected tribological problems in space.

A new type of lubrication method called ‘tribo-coating’, which forms a thin lubricious film (tribo-coating film) in nanometre-scale by vacuum deposition during sliding, is promising as a required lubrication method for future space systems.

This method gives the unique advantage of excellent tribological performance of friction coefficient of<0.02 in sliding contacts and 0.002 in ball bearings. Its possibility as a self-restored lubrication system with in situ and on-demand control of lubrication for ball bearings in vacuum systems is clarified.

Keywords

space tribology tribo-coating self-restoring lubrication

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