Solid lubricant film consisting of polyimide varnish as binder and graphite fluoride as lubricant is described. Comparative wear tests with other solid lubricants were conducted and results are shown in graph form. Test equipment used in conducting wear tests is reported

Fusaro, R. L.

Sliney, H. E.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

November 1972	 B72-10628 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
Lewis Research Center 	
-4V 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
POLYIMIDE BONDED GRAPHITE FLUORIDE - 
A NEW LONG LIFE SOLID LUBRICANT COATING 
-C 
C..'
E 
0 
(0 
Co 
OC 
0 
0 
io
P1-bonded (CF1 1)n 
P1-bonded M.o52 
Rubbed-on (CF 1 11n 
10- 0 Rubbed-on Mo 
I	 I 
0 373	 473	 573	 673 
Temperatures K 
Figure 1. - Comparison of 
mating wear lives. Hem-
ispherically-tipped rider 
of 1kg on a rotating 
slider.
A solid lubricant film consisting of polyimide (P1) 
varnish as the binder and graphite fluoride (CF 11 )
 n as the 
lubricant has been formulated and tested at temperatures 
from 298 to 673 K (77°F to 752°F) with excellent 
results. 
Compared to three other solid lubricant films, the 
P1-bonded (CF I. , ) n films had significantly longer wear 
life (Figure 1). For example, at 298 K (77 0 F) the wear life 
of P1-bonded (CF was about twice that of P1-bonded 
molybdenum disulfide (MoS2 ). As the temperature was 
increased, the difference in wear life also increased; at 673 
K (7520 F), the life of P1-bonded (CF 11 )n was greater by 
a factor of 60. 
Figure 2 shows comparative wear rates for hemispheri-
cally-tipped riders sliding on disks coated with the four 
solid lubricant films tested. The lowest wear rates were 
obtained with the P1-bonded (CF	 films. 
The friction coefficients of all four films were in the 
range of 0.04 to 0.12. The exact value depended more 
upon the duration of the tests and the experimental 
conditions than upon the particular lubricant coating. 
The specimen configuration used to evaluate the solid 
lubricant films consisted of a flat, rotating disc in sliding 
contact with a stationary hemispherically-tipped rider 
loaded to 1 kilogram. The wear was determined by 
measuring the circular scar diameter on the hemispheri-
cally-tipped rider and calculating the volume of the 
material removed from the rider.
P1-bonded Pt-bonded Rubbed 	 Rubbed Unlubricated 
(CF1 1)n	 M0S2	 (CF1 1)n	 M0S2	 440C 
Figure 2. - Comparison of rider wear rates at 298 K. 
A summary of all tests made has shown that the 
polyimide bonded graphite fluoride will provide a solid 
lubricant coating with long life and low wear rate. 
NOTES: 
1. The following documentation may be obtained from: 
National Technical Information Service 
Springfield, Virginia 22151 
Single document price $3.00 
(or microfiche $0.95) 
Reference: NASA TN-D-6714 (N72-18496). 
Graphite Fluoride As A Solid Lubricant in a 
Polyimide Binder 
2. Technical questions may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Lewis Research Center 
21000 Brookpark Road 
Cleveland, Ohio 44135 
Reference: B72-10628 
PATENT STATUS: 
NASA has decided not to apply for a patent. 
Source: R.L. Fusaro and H.E. Sliney 
Lewis Research Center
(LEW- 11864) 
Category 04 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National
	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States
	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
	 will be free from privately owned rights. 
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19720000627 2020-03-17T03:42:05+00:00Z


Polyimide bonded graphite fluoride: A new long life solid lubricant coating

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