Vacuum Tribology

Guided by:

Dr. Syed Ismail

Submitted by:

Abhishek Yamini

Roll No:

143701

Outline
Study of tribology in vacuum environments emphasizes that it is not only limited to space
applications but also there exist numerous applications of vacuum tribology in research as
well industrial processes. In this article, central idea is to draw attention of reader towards
these applications. In the beginning adhesive nature of contacting surfaces in vacuum
environment is described. The dependency of friction coefficient on surface energy and
real area on contact is explained. Different fields of applications are summarized in two
tables. One of the most important lubricant in vacuum related applications is MoS2. A
brief discussion on comparison of graphite and MoS2 lubrication is discussed to get
insight of mechanism.

High friction coefficient in Vacuum tribology

Vacuum tribology is mainly study of wear and friction in vacuum environment. In this
environment solid to solid contact is most prominent. It is due to this fact, surface
contacts in vacuum environment exhibit strong adhesive bonds and high coefficient of
friction. This further leads to high surface damage compare to normal environment where
chances of oxide layer protection are more. Adhesion depends on the environment, the
surface cleanliness, the real area of contact, properties of solids in contact and that of
interface and modes of junction rupture.
In ambient conditions, most metals oxidize and form oxide
films, typically between 1 and 10 nm thick within a few minutes of exposure of clean
surfaces. This oxide films act as low shear strength film and minimize the metalmetal
contact at asperity level and thus lead to low friction. On the other hand, in vacuum
condition, there is less chance of oxidation and direct contacts exist between metalmetal
surfaces. In this case, depending on metallurgical compatibility, the level of adhesion
governs the frictional behavior of the metals.
The values of the friction coefficient in vacuum were about 10 times higher than values
measured in air. This graph show the variation in coefficient of friction with relative
vapor pressure in different environments. Note that the friction coefficient is highest and
constant for dry nitrogen. Dry nitrogen behaves similar to vacuum environment.

The coefficient of friction is an empirical parameter i.e. it has

to be measured experimentally and cannot be found through calculations. The coefficient
of friction can vary over a wide range: from 0.001 in a lightly loaded rolling bearing to
greater than 10 for clean metals sliding against themselves in vacuum. The two materials
actually come in contact in vacuum environment. It has been found that coefficient of
friction between two surfaces depends on surface and bulk properties of materials. Effect
of hardness (H) (one of bulk property) is inversely related to real area of contact (A) i.e.
less hard material will offer more real contact area in the zone of contact. This real
contact area directly influence coefficient of friction i.e. larger real contact area leads to
higher coefficient of friction.
Surface energy per unit area (S) (one of surface property)
affect coefficient of friction. If S is less, it can be concluded that interfacial bond strength
is less thus directly influencing coefficient of friction.
Conclusively, coefficient of friction can be treated as function
of product of S and A. To reduce friction and to provide lubrication, therefore, the
product of the real area of contact A and the surface energy per unit area S must be
minimized in vacuum. The effect of this product on coefficient of friction is depicted in
this figure. It can be observed from the graph that Aluminium-Aluminium surfaces has
higher product of S and A compare to Iron-Iron surfaces thus coefficient of friction of
Aluminium-Aluminium surfaces expected to be higher compare to that of Iron-Iron
surfaces in vacuum environments.

S*A (nJ)

Under ultra-high vacuum environment, coefficient of friction and wear rates of ceramic
pair do not reach the very high values as compared to that of clean metals. So it is
preferable to use ceramics in vacuum environments

Applications of vacuum tribology

This figure gives an idea about type of lubricant used in different pressure application

In ultrahigh vacuum condition solid lubrication techniques are

recommended. Some particular applications of vacuum tribology applications are
vacuum products, space mechanisms, satellites, space telescope, space antennae etc.
But vacuum tribology is not limited to only space applications. Depending upon the
radiations and intensity of vacuum present in surrounding we can classify as follows

Fields of application of vacuum tribology in industrial process

Fields of application of vacuum tribology in research and development

Method of lubrication in vacuum environment (MoS2 as a solid

lubricant)
Temperatures encountered in supersonic aircraft, spacecraft, and certain industrial
applications are beyond the useful range of even the synthetic lubricants. This trend to the
operation of bearing surfaces at higher temperatures and low pressures (vacuum
environment) has led to the development and use of solid lubricants to attain the
necessary lubrication. Solid lubricants have at least one very desirable feature-they do not
evaporate under the above mentioned conditions.
Graphite and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) are the
predominant materials used as solid lubricant. In the form of dry powder these materials
are effective lubricant additives due to their lamellar structure. The lamellas orient
parallel to the surface in the direction of motion.

Even between highly loaded stationary surfaces the lamellar

structure is able to prevent contact. In the direction of motion the lamellas easily shear
over each other resulting in a low friction. Large particles best perform on relative rough
surfaces at low speed, finer particle on relative smooth surface and higher speeds.
Graphite is structurally composed of planes of polycyclic
carbon atoms that are hexagonal in orientation. The distance of carbon atoms between
planes is longer and therefore the bonding is weaker. Graphite is best suited for
lubrication in a regular atmosphere. Water vapor is a necessary component for graphite
lubrication. The adsorption of water reduces the bonding energy between the hexagonal
planes of the graphite to a lower level than the adhesion energy between a substrate and
the graphite. Because water vapor is a requirement for lubrication, graphite is not
effective in vacuum.

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) like graphite, MoS2 has a low

friction coefficient, but, unlike graphite, it does not rely on adsorbed vapors or moisture.
In fact, adsorbed vapors may actually result in a slight, but insignificant, increase in
friction. MoS2 also has greater load-carrying capacity and its manufacturing quality is
better controlled. Sliding friction tests of MoS2 using a pin on disc tester at low loads
(0.12 N) give friction coefficient values of <0.1.
MoS2 molecules consist of atoms surrounding the metal and
form covalently bonded layer. These layers are held together with weak van der Waals
bonds between them that require low shear during sliding. Low friction is resulted when
most of these crystallites are aligned parallel to the sliding direction. MoS2 is used as a
solid lubricant in the presence of a vacuum and inert gases.
Summary
Vacuum tribology have so many practical applications in research and industrial fields.
Advance technologies are going to eliminate liquid lubricants due to constraints involved.