Vapor phase lubrication of high-temperature bearings

Results are presented of an experimental investigation in which a ball-on-rod tester was modified to allow tricresylphosphate (TCP) to be vaporized into a carrier gas of air and delivered into the bottom section of the rolling contact tester operated at 3200 rpm. Tests were conducted using M50 rods and M50 balls at a pressure of 3.86 GPa and a temperature of 350 C and with silicon nitride rods and balls at a contact pressure of 5.13 GPa and temperatures of 350 and 680 C. A vaporized stream of 0.5 percent TCP was used to lubricate the rod and balls for test times from 90 min to 8 hr, and a mild polishing occurred on the active bearing surfaces. SEM photographs of the vapor-lubricated surface showed a distinct tenacious deposit on the ball cage, rod, and balls. These results indicate that vapor phase lubrication can be used for high pressure bearing contacts, providing effective lubrication for temperatures up to at least 680 C.