Lubrication for vacuum applications

Abstract

The selection and use of lubricants for vacuum applications is a critical part of the mechanisms design phase which is often overlooked. Both wet and dry lubricants can be used for mechanical and electrical moving interfaces in vacuum. Deciding on what type of lubrication system to use and the incorporation of the appropriate hardware design considerations are critical to the performance of the mechanisms. The use of design features such as lubricant reservoirs, labyrinth seals, and barrier films can enable wet lubricated systems to function for long periods in vacuum. Dry lubricated hardware has a finite life due to the sacrificial mode of dry lubricants. The use of suitable dry lubricant materials and designs can allow millions of cycles of operation in vacuum. Dry lubricants have a potential particulate contamination problem while wet lubricants can contaminate by both outgassing and migration by creep.