Advanced Military Diesel Engine Tribology

Improvements in liquid lubricant performacne and life are required for the AIPS advanced military diesel engine. At the 340 degree F oil sump temperature of this engine, the antiwear/anti-oxidant additives in most AIPS candidate lubricants are rapidly decomposed. Several additive functions are thus lost. This can result in severe bearing wear and corrosion, high overhead wear, rapid loss of base number and sludge deposits that plug oil filters and turbocharger oil feel lines. Surfaces Research has developed novel antiwear/anti-oxidant additives with superior high-temperature stability and effectiveness. These additives can potentially replace less stable additives in all AIPS lubricant formulations. The major Phase I activities will be synthesis of the new additives and determination of their tribological performance, oxidation-corrosion performance, and compatibility with other additives in a full diesel engine formulation. The best new additive and full formatulation will be delivered. A small feasibility demonstration in Phase I will address a separate issue. We will contribute to improved performance of an engine demonstrator with extreme upper cylinder temperatures by demonstrating new Surfaces Research solid lubricant technology. A new solid lubricatn coating will be delivered.