SOLID FILM LUBRICATION RESEARCH. PART I.

The report describes the development of a self contained, solid lubricated ball bearing system with long term operating capabilities at temperatures to 1500 F and speeds of 30,000 rpm. The bearing systems are to be capable of operating under these conditions in both an air atmosphere and an environment simulating 200,000 ft. altitude. The program concentrated on optimizing the lubricating and mechanical properties of solid lubricant amalgams and on obtaining parametric design data relating ball bearing operating life with load, bearing size, bearing design, speed, temperature, and atmospheric environments. The maximum load encompassed by the program is a 100 lb. thrust - 100 lb. radial combination. The work to date has resulted in the development of a 204 bearing system design capable of over 100 hours operation at 600 F and 10,600 rpm in an air environment. The bearings carried a load of 50 lbs thrust - 50 lbs radial. Lubrication was achieved by means of a self-lubricating retainer fabricated from a tungsten diselenide-galliumindium composite.