Traction Behavior of Some Lubricants Used for Rolling Bearings in Spacecraft Applications: Experiments and Thermal Model Based on Primary Laboratory Data

Abstract

Three synthetic oils used in spacecraft mechanisms (Pennzane SHF X2000, Nye 186 A, and Fomblin Z25) have been studied. Rheological tests were performed in order to characterize the behavior of each fluid versus pressure, temperature and shear rate. That includes the determination of the WLF viscosity model parameters. Tribological tests were carried out to measure the traction coefficient for operating conditions representative of spacecraft applications. Experimental results were compared with theoretical ones obtained using a non-newtonian thermal model. The modeling of traction in EHL contact is based on the Johnson and Tevaarwerk’s model modified to account for the shear heating of the fluid. The variations of the lubricant thermal conductivity with respect to temperature and pressure are also considered. In this model, input data comes directly from rheological experiments or are derived from other measurements through physical relationships. These rheological and tribological characterizations are essential to better describe the behavior of a lubricated rolling bearing.