Quality Water Lubrication of Special Triboceramics, Alloys and Self-Lubricating Composites

Under this proposed effort, MiTi will develop a high temperature and pressure steam tribometer for use in determining friction and wear characteristics of materials being considered for application to advanced steam engine generators. This tribometer willbe developed based upon criteria and specifications already received from the major steam engine generator developers and manufacturers. Designed in capabilities of the universal tribometer include steam environment at up to 600C and 20 Bar, up to 85 m/ssliding velocities and multi-directional complex sliding motions. Specimen holder designs will also permit evaluation of a wide variety of specimen sizes and loads. Special design attention is also being paid to specimen mounting and alignment to minimizethe influence of dynamic forces of measured friction data. Once developed the tribometer will be used to evaluate the friction and wear characteristics of various candidate materials being considered for the steam engines.