final moulding become increasingly apparent. Ion implantation may be used to produce a wear resistant surface and the efficiency is assessed with a rheotribometer which examines metalmolten polymer interactions. This equipment extrudes the polymer in question through a slit and its action may readily be observed. A variety of materials, coatings and treatments may be used in the demountable slits and comparisons of performance may easily be made. In general, wear occurs all over the surface, but is concentrated at the exit port. Mr J. Benson then spoke on the subject of cam and tappet wear with the aid of some excellent slides. Pitting and scuffing were two identified wear problems, the solution, in terms of materials choice of either being incompatible with the other. Pitting is the random formation of pits caused by stress in the surface and is aggravated by 'anti-wear' additives; Scuffing results from breakdowns in the oil film leading to welding of components and subsequent fracture - it is loaddependent and tends to occur in early life. By the use of a modified overhead camshaft system, failure modes consistent with actual operating conditions have been identified and remedies proposed. Scuffing may be minimised by appropriate surface treatments, while pitting benefitted from improved component design and choice of lubricant. The test apparatus has also allowed alternative materials, such as ialons, zirconia and hard-faced alloys to be investigated. The final presentation of some of the Group's work was by Mr K. Mashloosh who described the abrasive wear of mechanical digger teeth. 9 kg teeth were found to lose some 30% by weight in under 200 working hours. The material excavated varied immensely in terms of hardness, shape, structure and attack angle; it ranged in size from minus 50/am to plus 120 ram. A variety of materials is used to cast the teeth including white cast irons, low alloy and manganese steels and both tungsten carbide and hardfacing are employed to repair and/or
TR I BO LOGY international
protect teeth. Both field and laboratory investigations were used to examine the wear. It was observed that, although wear increased with time, the actual wear rate decreased. This was found to be associated with work hardening, changes in tooth shape and the formation of 'white layers'. The laboratory studies utilised a pin on disc technique with aluminium oxide papers as the abrading medium. The field studies were confirmed and it was also found that the wear was greatest with high attack angles. Following the presentations, members were taken in small groups to the tribology laboratories for a tour. A number of displays had been arranged and the full scope of the Group's work could be seen, together with some of the practical applications. The displays included such diverse projects as the investigation into wear of ceramics, polymers and anodised layers, the analysis of wear debris contained in lubricating fluids and the various
preparation and examination techniques. Finally a short tour of the Experimental Techniques Centre was included to allow the investigation of samples in more sophisticated ways, including spot analyses of wear tracks and debris and the material withinpits. Throughout the tour, a great deal of discussion took place between the members and the presenters. This allowed points raised during the first part of the meeting to be clarified and expanded and, in addition, gave the members a chance to understand more clearly the numerous facets of this intriguing subject. The discussions continued through the buffet which had been provided for all taking part. The Society is most grateful to the Brunel Tribology Group for enabling this meeting to take place. From the many comments received, all felt that it had been extremely successful. The London Metallurgical Society, 43 Melbourne Road, Wallington, Surrey SM6 8SH, UK.
European launch of an extensive lubricant range Kuwait Petroleum International under its new petroleum products brand, Q8, has launched a range of over I00 lubricants in eight European countries. The company has been in the lubricant business for over fifty years with European product research and development facilities operational since 1965. All of the products have
been developed on the basis of this extensive market experience. The new lube range includes 23 separate automobile products including transmission, truck, tractor and two stroke oils and 35 categories of industrial lubricants and 4 separate ranges of grease.
Kuwait Petroleum's Q8 range of lubricants
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Each of the lubricant products has been developed at KPI's research laboratory in Rotterdam over the past three years. This is the first time, they claim, that such an extensive range of lubricants has been created from scratch. With at least two further lubricant ranges in the final stages of preparation and testing, it is anticipated that 120 new products will be on the market by the end of the year. Kuwait Petroleum International
Multiple sight feed valve A new design for a multiple sight feed valve has been developed by Oil-Rite Corporation. The modular stacked manifold system is suitable for gravity or pressure lubricating systems. The modular valves permit feeding of liquids to widely separated points, controlled and observed from one central location. The user has the option of changing the units by stacl$ing them together, eliminting the tie-rod and manifold method. These valves will find use into a variety of industries: chemical, mining, paper, agricultural, marine, woodworking, textile and typically will be used to lubricate pumps, compressors, machine tools, bearings, seals, punch presses and roller chains. Construction is extremely sturdy using a 5/8" square steel, plated body. "O" rings between the valves form a positive seal. The sight viewing glass is held between two gaskets. The valves are
suitable for operation on pressure, gravity or vacuum service. Buna N seals are furnished throughout and are suitable in operation for 225 ° and 125 PSI maximum. The valve assembly is provided with a single ¼" female NPT inlet, and outlets are equipped with ¼" O.D. tube fittings. These compact multiple valves require only the minimum amount of space making the valves suitable for lubricating inaccessible places. Modification for special applications can also be furnished such as solenoid actuation, special gasket material, stainless steel units, and other materials will be available. Oil-rite Corporation, 4325 Clipper Drive, PO Box 608, Manitowoc, Wisconsin 54220, USA
CERN opts for Hovair Systems air bearing for major European project Hovair Systems has been selected by ETH of Zurich, Switzerland, to supply a system of air bearings in support of a major nuclear project in Central Europe conducted by CERN, the European organisation for nuclear research. CERN is constructing a large electron positron accelerator and storage ring to be used in nuclear physics experiments. The accelerator consists of a 27km circumferential ring of magnets housed in a tunnel some 50m below
ground level spanning the borders of France and Switzerland. In one of the ring's zones near St Genis Pouilly, France, a series of experiments are scheduled in a purpose built hall below ground level. Hovair is supplying an air bearing system and auxiliary equipment required for the assembly of external muon detectors. These are carried on a support tube which passes through a large (8000 tonne) magnet 14.4m long to be used in experimental work. The external muon detectors weigh some 180 tons and are assembled outside the magnet as two independent units. They are then guided inside with the doors open. This air bearing system consists of two double rows of curved air bearings fixed to the support tube, around which the torque tube is rotated during assembly of the muon detectors. Combined with the company's air powered drive system, accurate, safe and vibration-free rotation of the 90 tonne detectors is achieved. For safety purposes a control system has been incorporated to provide three operators with a control link during rotation. This allows one operator to veto the procedure if required. A ten ton capacity scissor type platform incorporating air bearings is also being supplied to facilitate movement of support tube counterweights within the experimental halls. Offering a high degree of manoeuvrability, the air bearing system allows vertical movement of the platform of up to three metres. This system suits this particular application where space within the hall is restricted and access is difficult. In conjunction with CERN, the company undertook design and installation of the entire system including the supply of air bearings, air regulating and control valves, drive system, pneumatic lines, compressor and all ancillary equipment.
Multiple sight feed rah,e .l?om Oil-Rite
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Hovair Systems Ltd, Ampere Road, Newbury, Berkshire RG13 2AE, UK
February 87 Vol 20 No 1