The Performance of Perfluoropolyalkylether Oils under Boundary Lubrication Conditions

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Abstract
Perfluoropolyalkylether (PFPE) oils and greases are being used with increasing frequency on spacecraft as a result of their purported outstanding properties. Previously we demonstrated that, under boundary lubrication, these materials degrade by way of an autocatalytic mechanism. As a result, they have serious limitations that cannot be improved using additives because of the inability of the PFPE fluids to dissolve antiwear additives. A series of wear tests comparing PFPE oils and greases with hydrocarbon fluids under boundary conditions were performed which augment the fundamental studies. As predicted, the performances of the PFPE fluids were below that of the hydrocarbon fluids. The results of the wear tests are discussed in terms of the effect that additives would have on the PFPE degradation mechanism and the overall usefulness of the PFPE fluids under boundary lubrication conditions.