Tribolab: In orbit results of tribological experiments of alloyed MoS2 coatings on the ISS
- Paper number
IAC-09.A2.6.7
- Author
Dr. Inaki Garmendia, INASMET-TECNALIA, Spain
- Year
2009
- Abstract
TriboLAB instrument is a space tribometer which performs tests with different lubricants and different devices at basic and component level respectively: pin-on-disk and ball bearing. TriboLAB allows to investigate the tribological behavior of lubricants under conditions not possible to simulate simultaneously on earth: g-0, vacuum, microvibrations, LEO radiation, etc. Under these conditions, the following tests are being performed in the ISS: - New solid lubricants (alloyed MoS2) applied on disks and ball-bearings - Start-stop effects on liquid lubricated ball-bearings It is interesting to point out that previously obtained tribological data on Earth (friction coefficients, friction torques and long term durability of the lubricant thin layers) are going to be compared to the results obtained in the microgravity conditions of the LEO orbit of the ISS. In this way, a correlation between both data series is going to be done and the effect of the severe conditions that the lubricant has to withstand on the space is going to be evaluated. Up to now, these data are not available and the mechanisms designers will benefit from the knowledge obtained in this experiment for their future designs, as lubricants play a key role in the deployment of mechanisms and structures.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)