Lubrication with Thin Gold Films

When surfaces in contact slide or roll on one another, marked adhesion and transfer of material may occur with resulting high wear or possible seizure. It is therefore necessary to interpose a lubricating film between the surfaces in order to reduce friction and wear and thereby extend the life of the mechanism. The tribological performance and reliability requirements have increased dramatically with the development of modern space transportation systems and other equipments such as communications satellites. In many spacecraft mechanisms it is often impossible to use conventional oil and grease lubricants because of limitations in their usable temperature range, because of loss by volatilization, and because of their degradation due to radiation. Since gold is inert, has a relatively high melting point, resists radiation, and in thin layers is easily sheared, it is finding increasing use in mechanical components such as bearings, gears, and splines.