Performance of Some Plain Bearing Materials under Boundary Conditions at Low Temperatures

This paper describes results of wear tests made on journal bearings for use at liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen temperatures, i.e. at −183°C and −196°C, also the design of large bearings in use at these temperatures.

The problem of operating plain bearings at low temperatures, particularly in immersed conditions in liquid oxygen or liquid nitrogen, is one of using materials with suitable mechanical properties at these temperatures together with chemical and physical requirements associated with successful dry-bearing combinations in these two conditions of differing reactivity.

It is desirable for apparatus to be interchangeably used for handling liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen and bearing combinations which can be used for this are described.