The possibility that
industry will provide a different
atmospheric environment or that the
mechanisms will have to
operate in space are
other trends which necessitate
modification in thinking on gear lubrication.
For example, Baber, et al.^2 found
that some oils: “ exhibited a decided
increase in load carrying
capacity when the gears were operated in
an atmosphere of nitrogen or
argon instead of
air”. Also it has been found that controlled corrosion can lubricate
metals at high temperatures. This
study was concerned
with oxide and
halide films which
formed on metals up to 1500
degree F. Here the action was due to the atmospheres surrounding the metals.
Korp^4 in a
discussion of “Fluid Gear Lubricants—Their Future” cited
various environmental conditions which gear
lubricants for space vehicles
radiation, nuclear radiation, and acceleration and gravity. To meet all
these conditions and still provide lubrication affords thoughts for the future.
Armour Research and Colorado Dynamics Corporation
report development of a new fluid that
can be changed from free
flowing to almost solid by
impressing an electric field.
Viscosity can be controlled through a range of more than 200 to 1. This control
is said to offer possibilities for use in mechanical transmissions.
