TESTING OF POTENTIAL BEARING MATERIALS IN AN ARGON ATMOSPHERE OF LOW HUMIDITY
Bearing materials for use in the Metallurgy Division Sector of the EBR- 11 Fuel Cycle Plant must operate without lubrication in an argon atmosphere of low humidity (dew-point of --50 deg C or less) and high gamma activity. To select suitable materials, a test program, in which samples of materials known to be radiation resistant were tested for wear resistance in an argon atmosphere containing less than 30 ppm water by volume, was initiated. The criterion by which wear resistance was judged is loss in sample weight over a 24-hour abrasion period during which the samples rub along the periphery of a 2 1/2-in. OD wear ring made of SAE 1045 steel. The majority of the samples were tested using a load of 2755 gm and a rubbing vclocity of 109 ft per sec. Contact between the rectangular samples and the wear ring was initially linear. Of the materials tested, Reactor Grade Graphite and some graphite derivatives showed the best bearing qualities. A group of steel samples coated with impregnated plastic also showed desirable properties. While they are not as wear resistant as the best graphitic samples, their supcrior physical properties give them a wider range of application. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., Lemont, Ill.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31-109-ENG-38
- NSA Number:
- NSA-13-020138
- OSTI ID:
- 4206681
- Report Number(s):
- ANL-5973
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-59
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Boride-Carbon Hybrid Technology to Produce Ultra-Wear and Corrosion Resistant Surfaces for Applications in Harsh Conditions (Final Technical Report)
A RESEARCH PROGRAM ON THE INVESTIGATION OF SEAL MATERIALS FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE APPLICATION. Period covered: January 1, 1957 through March 31, 1958