This paper describes recent laboratory experiments on space tribology as well as flight experiments aboard SFU/EFFU. Tribological properties of single crystal molybdenum disulfide have been studied during atomic oxygen (AO) exposure. Surface characterization of the MoS2 with Auger electron spectroscopy was carried out without breaking vacuum. Small amount of oxygen was detected after exposure to atomic oxygen beam. High start-up friction was obvious in the case of AO-exposed MoS2. An organic binder type spray-bonded MoS2 film flown on the SFU/EFFU showed no difference in tribological performance from the control sample. Moreover, the wear life of the flight sample was even longer than the control sample. This unexpected effect was explained by the polymerization of the binder due to UV exposure in the orbit.
Space tribology activities in Japan - laboratory data and flight experiment aboard SFU/EFFU
Tribologie-Forschung Japans im Weltraum - Labordaten und Flugexperimente an Bord von SFU/EFFU
1997
5 Seiten, 3 Bilder, 1 Tabelle, 12 Quellen
Conference paper
English
Space tribology activities in japan laboratory data and flight experiment aboard SFU/EFFU
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