Abstract
The tribological performances of perfluoroalkylpolyethers (PFPE) with graphene (Gr), WS2, and the mixture of Gr and WS2 (Gr + WS2) before and after ultraviolet (UV), atomic oxygen (AO), and proton (Pr) irradiations were investigated. The composition and structure of PFPE, Gr, WS2, and Gr + WS2 were also analyzed to understand the effects of irradiation on the tribological behaviors of PFPE with additives. The results indicated that serious deterioration and degradation of PFPE took place and Gr was transformed to amorphous carbon after Pr irradiation, and surface oxidation of WS2 occurred under the irradiations of AO and Pr. Moreover, compared to PFPE and PFPE additized with Gr and WS2, PFPE with the addition of Gr + WS2 exhibited excellent friction and wear reduction before and after UV and AO irradiations.Graphical
Highlights
With its significant influence on an overwhelming number of aerospace technical processes, the lubrication of moving mechanical components in the space environment has been a subject of intense scientific investigation [1]
It is clear that the base oil showed little change in color and weight loss after UV and atomic oxygen (AO) irradiations
The PFPE oil exposed to Pr irradiation experienced a remarkable color change from colorless to dark brown and lost a significant weight
Summary
With its significant influence on an overwhelming number of aerospace technical processes, the lubrication of moving mechanical components in the space environment has been a subject of intense scientific investigation [1]. A limited number of PFPE-soluble additives have been investigated [6, 7], these organic additives have not yet been used in space applications [8], which might attribute to their degradation under severe operating conditions. Inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) have shown great potential to replace the conventional organic additives because of their environmentally friendly, high thermal stability, and excellent friction-reducing and anti-wear (AW) characteristics [9]. The favorable properties of graphene and TMDCs meet the requirement of sustainable development, and enable them to be the most desirable lubricant additives for aerospace lubrication [15,16,17,18]
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