Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Experiments have been carried out on full-film journal bearings lubricated with a low-vapor pressure liquid metal (gallium-based alloy) in argon and high vacuum. Plain and spiral-groove bearings of relatively small size and without additional liquid sealing were selected. The effect of reactive gases on the liquid-metal confinement and the influence of liquid-metal properties on the loci of the shaft centers were studied. For plain bearings, it is found that the shaft center locus followed a straight line with a load angle of π/2. Subambient pressures of 25 atmospheres magnitude were achieved in the metal lubricant film. Liquid-metal leakage did not occur up to a certain speed. It is shown that Ga-based alloys can effectively be applied as a reliable lubricant in spiral-groove bearings under nonoxidizing conditions. Surface tension and cohesion strength of the metal liquid played a significant role in lubricant behavior.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
J. Gerkema (1985) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: