Ionic liquids are a class of salts that incorporate polyatomic anions and cations. These materials are typically viscous fluids at room temperature. The fluids are generally characterized as possessing negligible vapor pressures under ambient conditions. These beneficial properties have led us to study the effectiveness of ionic liquids containing both organic cations and anions for use as lubricants with space applications. This article presents vapor pressure measurements forfour ionic liquids as well as friction coefficient data from a spiral orbit tribometer in the boundary lubrication regime under simulated space conditions using stainless steel tribocouples. In addition, we present the first tribological data on mixed ionic liquids and an ionic liquid additive. Postmortem infrared and Raman analyses of the balls and races indicates that the major degradation pathway for these organic ionic liquids is similar to those of other carbon-based liquid lubricants; that is, deterioration of the organic structure into amorphous graphitic carbon. The coefficients of friction and lifetimes of these lubricants are comparable to or better than those of several commonly used space oils.
Evaluation of vapor pressure and ultra-high vacuum tribological properties of ionic liquids
Tribology Transactions ; 54 , 6 ; 911-919
2011
9 Seiten, 11 Bilder, 5 Tabellen, 18 Quellen
Article (Journal)
English
Vacuum pressure dependence of the tribological properties of Ti, TiO2, and TiN thin films
Online Contents | 2004
|NTIS | 2003
|Ultra-high vacuum seals operating under pressure and at 1.8 K
British Library Online Contents | 1996
|Ultra-high-vacuum electrical feedthrough
NTRS | 1976
|