SOLID LUBRICANTS FOR SPACE STRUCTURES

NEW AND INNOVATIVE NONEQUILIBRIUM MATERIALS FOR VARIOUS SPACE STRUCTURES ARE NEEDED FOR STRATEGIC DEFENSE. ONE AREA WHERE LITTLE ATTENTION HAS BEEN FOCUSSED IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOLID LUBRICANTS. THE POTENTIAL USE IS BEING EXPLORED OF HIGH LEAD BEARING COPPER ALLOYS(UP TO 50% LEAD) AS BEARING MATERIALS; BATTERY GRIDS THAT WOULD REPLACE THE CURRENTLY USED LEAD ALLOYS; AND POSSIBLE COATINGS FOR HIGHFRICTION LOCATIONS IN SPACE STRUCTURES. UNDERSTANDING OF THE ADVANTAGES AND LIMITATIONS OF SOLID LUBRICANTS IN SPACE STRUCTURES IS BEING FACILITATED. AT A LATER PHASE, A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM COULD BEDEVELOPED TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE BEHAVIOR OF THESE ALLOYS WITH A VIEW TOWARD PRODUCING COMPONENTS OR COATINGS FOR USE IN ACTUAL SPACE STRUCTURES FOR SUBSEQUENT EVALUATION. IT IS EXPECTED AFTER EXTENDED STUDIES THAT THESE HIGH LEAD BEARING ALLOYS COULD BE USED AS A SOLID LUBRICANT IN SEVERAL FRICTION RELATED APPLICATIONS IN SPACE OR SATELLITE STRUCTURES, AUTOMOTIVE FLEETS, AND IN BATTERIES IN SUBMARINES, TANKS, AND HEAVY DUTY MACHINERY.