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USING CUBIC BORON NITRIDE
Title: INVESTIGATOR
Phone: () -
HIGH SPEED CRYOGENIC TURBOMACHINERY REQUIRES RELIABLE DRY FILM LUBRICANTS IN THE MAIN SHAFT TO SUPPORT ROLLING ELEMENT BEARINGS. THE LUBRICANT PRESENTLY USED HAS A VERY SHORT LIFETIME, CAUSING UNACCEPTABLE WEAR ON THE BEARINGS ONCE THE DRY FILMS ARE DEPLETED. RESEARCH IS REQUIRED TO DEVELOP HIGHLY RELIABLE DRY FILMS LUBRICANTS WHICH CAN DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE THE LUBRICANT LIFE IN LIQUID OXYGEN AND LIQUID HYDROGEN TURBOPUMPS. A LOW FRICTION, HIGH HARDNESS LUBRICATING FILM OF CUBIC BORON NITRIDE FABRICATED BY ION BEAM DEPOSITION IS LIKELY TO BE SUITABLE. IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE CUBIC BORON NITRIDE WILL HAVE FRICTION PROPERTIES SIMILAR TO DIAMOND-LIKE CARBON FILMS AND WILL EXTEND THE FUNCTIONAL LIFE OF THE CRYOGENIC TURBOPUMPS.
* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *