An evaluation of bearings operating in a cryogenic environment with silicon nitride rolling elements

Technical Report · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5939363

Gibson, H G

The bearings used in the space shuttle main engine (SSME) high pressure oxidizer turbopump (HPOTP) do not meet the expected life goals that were set for them. In an effort to improve their performance, many solutions are being studied. New bearing materials are being developed, better manufacturing techniques are being investigated, and improved cage materials for better lubrication are being tested. The focus is on the replacement of steel balls with ones made of silicon nitride in 57-mm HPOTP bearings. The bearings were then installed in a test rig and run at near turbopump operating conditions. The results from this test series are encouraging, with silicon nitride showing good wear resistance and thermal stability.

• Research Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Huntsville, AL (USA). George C. Marshall Space Flight Center
• OSTI ID: 5939363
• Report Number(s): N-91-18436; NASA-TM--103524; NAS--1.15:103524
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

420201* -- Engineering-- Cryogenic Equipment & Devices
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BALL BEARINGS
BEARINGS
CRYOPUMPS
EQUIPMENT
HIGH PRESSURE
HYDRAULIC TURBINES
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
LUBRICATION
MACHINERY
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
NITRIDES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXIDIZERS
PNICTIDES
PUMP TURBINES
PUMPS
SERVICE LIFE
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON NITRIDES
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
VACUUM PUMPS
WEAR RESISTANCE