This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
The Use of Radioactive Tracer Technology in Studying Lubricant Chemistry to Enhance Bearing and Ring Wear Control in an Operating Engine
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
Radioactive tracer technology (RAT) is an important tool in measuring component wear in an operating engine on a real-time basis. This paper will discuss the use of RAT to study and evaluate boundary lubricant and surfactant chemistries aimed at providing benefits in wear control. In particular, RAT was employed to study ring and bearing wear as a function of engine operating condition (speed, load, and temperature) and lubricant characteristics. Prior to testing, the engine's compression rings and connecting rod bearings were subjected to bulk thermal neutron bombardment in a nuclear reactor to produce artificial radioisotopes that were separately characteristic of the ring and bearing wear surfaces. The irradiated parts were installed in the test engine, after which testing to a specific test matrix was accomplished. During testing, these radioisotopes acted as detectable tracers as irradiated wear particles abraded from the rings and bearings and circulated in the lubrication system. Radiation associated with these particles was measured by a gamma ray spectrometer; the amount of radioactivity present being proportional to the number and mass of wear particles in the oil at the time of measurement. Thus, the radiation measurements were directly proportional to the amount of ring and bearing wear during a given test period. With this technology, it was possible to measure ring and bearing wear simultaneously, in real-time, without disassembling the engine for inspection.
Recommended Content
Authors
Citation
Treuhaft,, M., Iddings,, F., Boyd, G., and Sprague, S., "The Use of Radioactive Tracer Technology in Studying Lubricant Chemistry to Enhance Bearing and Ring Wear Control in an Operating Engine," SAE Technical Paper 941982, 1994, https://doi.org/10.4271/941982.Also In
References
- “ Engine Wear Experiments ,” Treuhaft, M.B. Southwest Research Institute Final Report 03-9500 February 1989
- “ Lab Evaluation of Engine Wear as a Function of Dust ,” Wisnewski, J.P. Treuhaft, M.B. Technical Report No. 13468 for U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Command (03-2429) July 1989
- “ The Use of Radioactive Tracer Technology to Measure Engine Ring Wear in Response to Dust Ingestion ,” Treuhaft, M.B. SAE Technical Paper Series No. 930019 March 1993
- “Radiation Detection and Measurement” Knoll, Glenn F. Second John Wiley & Sons New York, New York 1989
- “Texas Regulations for Control of Radiation (TRCR)” Texas Department of Health Bureau of Radiation Control Austin, Texas January 1994
- Radiation Safety Manual Southwest Research Institute San Antonio, Texas 1993
- Fernow, Richard C. Introduction to Experimental Particle Physics Cambridge University Press New York, New York 1986
- “ Engine Durability, Emissions and Fuel Economy Benefits of Special Boundary Lubricant Chemistry ,” Shaub, H. et.al. SAE Paper 941983 October 1994