A CONTRASTING LUBRICATION PROPERTY OF IMIDAZOLIUM-BASED IONIC LIQUIDS UNDER HIGH VACUUM AFFECTED BY THE NATURE OF THE SURFACE

摘要

One of key technologies for space mechanisms is to ensure the long-term durability without maintenance. Operating conditions of recent space mechanisms have become more severe and complex. Ensuring the boundary lubrication performance is a key to solve the problem. Although multiplyalkylatedcyclopentane (MAC)-base lubricants are used for the space applications currently, alternative lubricants for the next generation space lubricants are being searched. Since ionic liquids that have extremely low volatility, high chemical and thermal stabilities are the candidates, reported research results are still insufficient to solve the problem. In this study, several kinds of imidazorium-based ionic liquids were used to study the lubrication performance under the vacuum environment. Two different steel specimens having thick and thin oxide layer on the surface were prepared, and the effect of the nature of the surface on the tribological characteristics of ionic liquids was studied.