SBIR-STTR Award

In Phase I we propose to demonstrate the processing of very large area diamond sliding bearings and tribological surfaces. The bearings and surfaces will experience negligible wear and long life in extreme environments, such as encountered in high temperature exploration of Venus. Low temperature bearings that survive conditions encountered in Mars, Moon, Titan, Europe and Ganymede will be also considered. A pressure-assisted fabrication procedure will be developed to produce particle-dispersed and fabric-reinforced composite bearings and coatings. Diamond composite surfaces will consist of crystallites that are toughened with oriented fibers. Long-life diamond composites will be achieved at low cost. In Phase I, we will compare wear and friction properties of sliding interfaces and optimize bearing performance. In Phase II, we will collaborate with a manufacturing company to scale the new processing technology, and with a bearing manufacturer to fabricate prototype bearings for performance testing in extreme environments.

Potential NASA Commercial Applications:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) In addition to high performance bearings, potential application include diamond substrates for radiation-resistant electronic equipment, silicon-based circuits and chips.

Potential NON-NASA Commercial Applications:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) The diamond tribological surfaces that we plan to develop could be utilized for high speed applications at both low and high temperatures. They are low cost, low friction, corrosive and wear resistant and can work in reciprocating engines, rotary engines, rock drilling, rock sawing and other abrasive environments.

Technology Taxonomy Mapping:
(NASA's technology taxonomy has been developed by the SBIR-STTR program to disseminate awareness of proposed and awarded R/R&D in the agency. It is a listing of over 100 technologies, sorted into broad categories, of interest to NASA.) Coatings/Surface Treatments Composites Simulation & Modeling Structures Tribology

In Phase I we demonstrated a methodology for processing large area diamond-hardfaced composites for tribological surfaces and bearings. Sliding experiments showed low friction and wear of the superhard-faced composites at both low and high temperatures. The measured wear against sand and dust was so low that it could not be detected. In contrast, all other tested materials experienced rapid abrasive wear. Most importantly, a low-cost method to produce large area fabric reinforced diamond composites for tribological applications has been developed. The primary trust of Phase II will be to optimize the processing technology for producing tribological surfaces and bearings, and to evaluate their performance in extreme environments, such as that encountered in high temperature exploration of Venus. We will continue to collaborate with NASA and industrial partners to optimize and scale the new processing technology, and to fabricate prototype bearings for performance testing at NASA’s test facility. Hence NASA will acquire patented technology and qualified supplier of superhard-faced composite bearings to operate in extreme planetary environments.

Potential NASA Commercial Applications:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) In addition to high performance bearings, potential applications include diamond substrates for radiation-resistant electronic equipment, silicon-based circuits and chips.



Potential NON-NASA Commercial Applications:
:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) Since the superhard-faced composites that we are developing and optimizing experience low wear in hot corrosive environments, and are relatively inexpensive to produce, they can be used in reciprocating engines, rotary engines, rock drill bits, high-speed machining, and many other applications.

Technology Taxonomy Mapping:
(NASA's technology taxonomy has been developed by the SBIR-STTR program to disseminate awareness of proposed and awarded R/R&D in the agency. It is a listing of over 100 technologies, sorted into broad categories, of interest to NASA.) Simulation & Modeling Structures Tribology