Study on aeronautical steel under minimal quantity lubrication

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate that if the lubrication system of a helicopter reducer is compromised, its gears and bearings will be at non-lubricating oil work state, which causes the reducer to be damaged in a very short time.

Design/methodology/approach

Various 2 per cent additives were injected and mixed with aeronautical oil to produce 45-min oil/mist lubrication and oil/air lubrication experiments performed upon aeronautical steel tribo-pairs.

Findings

The results show that the best anti-wear effect is produced by oil/air lubrication that contains 2 per cent T391. It consumes the least quantity of oil and produces the least wear width, the least rise in temperature and the best surface wear quality.

Originality/value

The technology of oil/air lubrication that contains an extreme-pressure and anti-wear additive is a feasible way to improve the operational ability of a helicopter transmission system that is out of oil.

Citation

Wen, G., Ge, Y., Zhendong, D. and Gao, Z. (2015), "Study on aeronautical steel under minimal quantity lubrication", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 67 No. 5, pp. 402-406. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-04-2013-0044