Accession Number:

ADA361295

Title:

Vapor-Phase Lubricants: Nanometer-Scale Mechanisms and Applications to Sub-Micron and Rotating Machinery

Descriptive Note:

Final technical rept. 15 Jan 95-30 Nov 98

Corporate Author:

NORTHEASTERN UNIV BOSTON MA DEPT OF PHYSICS

Personal Author(s):

• Krim, Jacqueline

Report Date:

1999-02-28

Pagination or Media Count:

7.0

Abstract:

Vapor-phase lubricants Nanometer-scale mechanisms and applications to sub-micron and rotating machinery was the beginning segment of a new program supported by AFOSR involving a set of experiments seeking to explore the molecular-scale properties of vapor-phase lubricants in well-defined contact geometries. During the 10.5 month grant period, two ultra-high vacuum chambers were customized for the specific proposed studies, and all personnel involved were trained in Ultra-High Vacuum UHV and quartz microbalance techniques. The construction and training period is now complete, and a series of measurements have been performed. These include measurements of the uptake rate of the lubricant TBPP on Fe as a function of temperature, and a series of measurements of the nanomechanical properties of a number of potential lubricants for Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems MEMS applications by means of a combined quartz microbalancescanning tunneling microscopy technique.

Descriptors:

• *VAPOR PHASES
• *MACHINES
• *LUBRICANTS
• MEASUREMENT
• MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
• AIR FORCE RESEARCH
• VACUUM CHAMBERS
• IRON
• ROTATION
• ULTRAHIGH VACUUM
• MICROELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS

Subject Categories:

• Lubricants and Hydraulic Fluids
• Machinery and Tools

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE