SELF‐LUBRICATING MATERIALS DEVELOPED BY WESTINGHOUSE

Abstract

CLAIMED to be able to carry loads as high as 1,800 lb/sq. in. with little self‐wear and negligible wear of the surfaces against which they are sliding, a new group of self‐lubricating materials have been developed by the Westinghouse Electric Co. in the U.S.A. They are metal based composites containing small percentages of a film former, called polytetrafluoroethylene, and a novel dry lubricant, called tungsten diselenide, and are available in both a silver and copper matrix which are totally and homogeneously impregnated with the dry lubricant and film former. The lubricant is held in small pockets throughout the metal or high polymer matrices and form dry films of self‐lubricating material on the metal surfaces rubbing against the composites. These dry films transfer to other metal surfaces as they come into rubbing contact with the coated metal surfaces. In this way, the film continually transfers back and forth to heal any tiny break or faults that may occur in the films.

Citation

(1963), "SELF‐LUBRICATING MATERIALS DEVELOPED BY WESTINGHOUSE", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 15 No. 8, pp. 22-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb052734