Transfer Film Lubrication for Ceramic Pairs at a Temperature of 800°C and a Pressure of 1300 Pa

Tribological performance of two types of Si₃N₄ pairs and one SiC pair was examined at a pressure of 1300 Pa and a temperature of 800°C. Prior to friction tests, a transfer film was formed from a self-lubricating composite in atmospheric environment. Test results showed that the transfer film acted effectively as a lubricant to prevent surface damage and lower friction for Si₃N₄ pairs, but it was not effective for the SiC pair. This result confirms that transfer film lubrication is one of promising candidates of lubrication methods for re-usable space vehicles, in which operation at high temperature in low vacuum is required.