The Development of an ENvironmentally Benign Lubricant for Aircraft Turbine Engine

The objective of this research proposal is to develop an efficient lubricant as well as ashless additives for gas turbine engines that meet the requirements of MIL-L-7808K, reducing the risk of environmental damage during their life cycles, i.e., producing, consuming, and disposing. The life cycle temperature range for gas turbine lubricants is between -54 degrees C to 250 degrees C. In this research, we intend to use polyalkylene glycols as base fluids with environmentally benign additives that greatly reduce the amount of pollutants discharged during routine and extreme environmental conditions. Polyalkylene glycols possess excellent viscosity index, low pour points, high flash points, good antifoam, good lubricity, low toxicity, good shear stability, arenon-corrosive to common metals have little or no effect on rubbers, and are fire resistant. For other additives such as antioxidant, antiwear, and antirust agents, we propose to use ashless additives with a benign environmental impact that minimize hazardous waste during the life cycle of this type of aviation lubricant. In Phase I, we will prepare the proposed lubricant for gas turbine engine and evaluate its efficiency and tribological characteristics. In Phase II, we shall produce the prototype lubricant for gas turbine application and have it evaluated by interested government users and commercial manufacturers.