Performance Characteristics of Perfluoroalkylpolyether Synthetic Lubricants

An extensive test program was conducted to determine the performance characteristics (friction, wear, temperature) of a linear high temperature perfluoroalkylpolyether (PFPE) and two branched PFPE lubricants under normal and severe operating conditions. These include temperatures up to 200° C and Hertzian pressures as high as 2.8 GPa. A four-ball wear tester was used to measure wear scar and a two-disk machine was used to measure friction. The linear perfluoroalkylpolyether lubricant demonstrated low friction and wear at elevated temperatures under the test conditions considered. A bearing testing apparatus was used to measure friction and temperature of tapered roller bearings under various operating conditions for a branched PFPE and the results are reported.