Improved Threaded Fastener Coatings for Turbine Engine Applications

Maintenance of Air Force turbine engines is hampered by threaded fasteners which have seized and cannot be removed, particularly in high-temperature turbine sections. Removal of these fasteners for routine maintenance often results in galled, seized or broken parts, with accompanying damage to the mating parts and lost maintenance time. This is very costly to the Air Force. Surfaces Research has developed new lubricant technology which promises to solve fastener lubricant problems. In the Phase I program, we will demonstrate improved antiseize fastener lubricant performance using new Surfaces Research lubricant technology. We will elucidate the chemical and metallurgical mechanisms which cause seizing the galling of fasteners in Air Force engines. We will establish the relationships between fastener lubricant performance in engines and in component screening tests.