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Full-Text Articles in Mechanical Engineering
A Vacuum Four-Ball Tribometer To Evaluate Liquid Lubricants For Space Applications, Masabumi Masuko, William R. Jones Jr, Ralph Jansen, Ben Ebihara, Stephen V. Pepper, Larry S. Helmick
A Vacuum Four-Ball Tribometer To Evaluate Liquid Lubricants For Space Applications, Masabumi Masuko, William R. Jones Jr, Ralph Jansen, Ben Ebihara, Stephen V. Pepper, Larry S. Helmick
Science and Mathematics Faculty Publications
The design and operation of a vacuum tribometer, based on the four-ball configuration, is described. This tribometer evaluates the tribological characteristics of liquid lubricants for space applications. Operating conditions include: room temperature, loads to approximately 1000N, speeds to approximately 500 rpm, and pressures of approximately 10(exp -6)Pa. Tests can also be run at atmospheric pressure with air or nitrogen. Some typical test results are included.