**Process Specification for the Application of Liquid Lubricants**

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| **Engineering Directorate**                                           |
|                                                                       |
| **Structural Engineering Division**                                   |
|                                                                       |
| January 2007                                                          |
|                                                                       |
| ![](media/image1.png)                                                 |
|                                                                       |
| National Aeronautics and                                              |
|                                                                       |
| Space Administration                                                  |
|                                                                       |
| **Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center**                                    |
|                                                                       |
| Houston, Texas                                                        |
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**Process Specification for the Application of Liquid Lubricants**

+-----------------+-----------------------------------+----+----------+
| **Prepared      | ####                              |    |          |
| by:**           |                                   |    |          |
+-----------------+-----------------------------------+----+----------+
|                 | Jay E. Bennett                    |    | Date     |
|                 |                                   |    |          |
|                 | Materials and Processes Branch    |    |          |
|                 |                                   |    |          |
|                 | ES4                               |    |          |
+-----------------+-----------------------------------+----+----------+

+-----------------+-----------------------------------+----+----------+
| **Approved      |                                   |    |          |
| by:**           |                                   |    |          |
+-----------------+-----------------------------------+----+----------+
|                 | Bradley S. Files, Chief           |    | Date     |
|                 |                                   |    |          |
|                 | Materials and Processes Branch    |    |          |
|                 |                                   |    |          |
|                 | ES4                               |    |          |
+-----------------+-----------------------------------+----+----------+

  ----------- --------------------------------------------- ---------------
  REVISIONS                                                 

  VERSION     CHANGES                                       DATE

  \--         Original version                              5/13/96

  A           Extensively rewritten to incorporate modern   8/6/99
              format, addition of example greases and oils, 
              and addition of burnish option.               

  B           Changed Division name. Revised Section 6.1    10/2004
              (Work Instructions) and Section 9.0           
              (Training).                                   

  C           Updated document numbers in Section 4.0       1/2007
              (References)                                  

                                                            
  ----------- --------------------------------------------- ---------------

**1.0** **[SCOPE]{.underline}**

This process specification applies to the application of all types of
liquid lubricants, such as oils and greases, to hardware manufactured by
JSC.

# 

# 

# **2.0 APPLICABILITY**

This specification is applicable whenever called out by the engineering
drawing or any referencing documentation.

**3.0 [USAGE]{.underline}**

This process specification shall be called out on the engineering
drawing by identifying the surface(s) to be coated with a drawing note
using the following general format:

In many applications in mechanisms, only a thin layer of grease is
desired. A thin layer will function as a corrosion preventative, an
assembly aid, or a run-in aid when a thick layer would cause a
contamination or thermal seizure concern. For these design cases, add
the following note to the above callout:

Specific procedures from section 6 or other alternate procedures may be
added to the drawing callout to clarify or delineate the exact
lubrication procedure required.

A complete description of the lubricant shall be called out in the parts
list on the engineering drawing, as follows:

  --------------------- -------------------- ------------ ----------------
  Part number           Description          Material     Specification

                                                          

  BRAYCOTE 601EF        GREASE                            

                                                          

  BRAYCOTE 602EF        GREASE W/MOS2                     

                                                          

  BRAYCOTE 815Z         OIL                               

                                                          

  KRYTOX 240AC          GREASE                            
  --------------------- -------------------- ------------ ----------------

Braycote fluorinated greases and oils are produced by Castrol Inc.,
Special Products Division, Irvine, CA 92714, CAGE code 2R128. Krytox
fluorinated greases and oils are produced by E. I. DuPont de Nemours &
CO., (Inc), Wilmington, DE 19898.

**4.0 [REFERENCES]{.underline}**

The following references were used to develop this process
specification:

SOP-007.1 *Preparation and Revision of Process Specifications*

JPR 8500.4 *Engineering Drawing System Manual*

The following documents are called out as an extension of the
requirements given in this specification:

JPR 5322.1 *Contamination Control Manual*

**5.0 [MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS]{.underline}**

None.

**6.0 [PROCESS REQUIREMENTS]{.underline}**

**6.1 WORK INSTRUCTIONS**

All work shall be performed to written procedures. The work instructions
shall contain sufficient detail to ensure that the manufacturing process
produces consistent, repeatable products that comply with this
specification.

For work performed at JSC facilities, these work procedures consist of
Detailed Process Instructions (DPI's).

For contracted work, the contractor shall be responsible for preparing
and maintaining, and certifying written work procedures that meet the
requirements of this specification.

**6.2 General**

6.2.1 Prior to lubricant application, parts shall be cleaned to a level
compatible with the subsystem in which the parts will be installed.

6.2.2 Tools, hands of personnel and gloves coming in contact with parts
and materials shall be visibly clean per JHB 5322.

6.2.3 When visually examined, lubricants shall be free from
contamination, i.e., grit, dirt, metal chips or other foreign material.
Lubricant containers shall be kept closed when contents are not being
used.

**6.3 Lubrication of Straight or Tapered Threaded Parts (Static
Service)**

6.3.1 Lubricant shall be applied only to the male threads immediately
prior to installation. The lubricant shall not be applied to flared
sealing surfaces or to the ends of fittings.

6.3.2 The lubricant shall be applied to the external threads in a streak
across all threads, except omit lubricant from the first two threads.
Each lubricant shall be applied per section 6.3.3 and shall be flush
with the crest of the threads. Excess lubricant shall be removed to
avoid contamination of the system.

6.3.3 Number of application points shall vary with the size of the
fitting. Where more than one application is required, the application
points shall be equally spaced around the circumference of the threads.
The number of application points for the various thread sizes shall be
as follows:

  -------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------------
  Thread Size inches,  Number of Application  Approximate Width of
  Diameter             Points                 Streak, inch

  Up to 0.5            1                      0.12 to 0.25

  0.6 to 1.0           1                      0.37

  1.1 to 1.7           2                      0.5

  1.8 to 2.5           3                      0.5

  2.6 to 3.0           4                      0.5

  over 3.0             5                      0.5
  -------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------------

6.3.4 There shall be no visible indication of lubricant on the end faces
of threaded parts and sealing surfaces of flared fittings prior to
connecting fittings.

6.3.5 To avoid galling during torquing of coupling nuts, a thin layer of
lubricant shall be uniformly applied to the thrust surface of the tubing
sleeve.

6.3.6 Dynatube/Dual Seal fittings that do not have dry film lubricated
threads shall have lubricant applied to the male threads before mating.
When the mating nut can be slid back to expose the thrust surface
(backside of the sealing surface), it shall also be lubricated. Use only
a minimum amount of lubricant, and remove any observable excess. If
required to remate a previously-lubricated female fitting (\"B nut\")
with a new unlubed male fitting, lubricate the male fitting per
paragraph 3.4.2 and reassemble to the female.

**6.4 Lubrication of Static Seals (O-Rings)**

6.4.1 Where a lubricant is to be applied to a dry O-ring to facilitate
installation, it shall be distributed uniformly over the surface of the
O-ring. Excess lubricant shall be removed until there is no visible
accumulation of lubricant on the O-ring**.**

6.4.2 Where a lubricant is needed to retain an O-ring in its groove
while installing a mating part, the lubricant shall be uniformly applied
to the groove surfaces, and the amount shall not exceed 10 percent of
the total groove volume.

**6.5 Lubrication of Static Seal (Gasket Type)**

6.5.1 [Flat Seals]{.underline}: The sealing surface of flat seals to be
used between flat surfaces without grooves shall be coated and
thoroughly wetted with the lubricant. There shall be no excess globules
of the lubricant.

6.5.2 [Flat Mating Surfaces]{.underline}: Lubricant for flat mating
surfaces without gasket type seal shall be spread uniformly on both
surfaces in a thin layer. There shall be no excess material at the edges
prior to joining the mating parts.

**6.6 Lubrication of Plain Sliding Surfaces**

Plain sliding surfaces such as bushings, etc., shall be thoroughly
coated with lubricant during installation, or the clearance volume shall
be packed prior to operation. There shall be no excess globules on the
outside of the mating surfaces.

**6.7 Lubrication of Ball, Roller and Needle Bearings**

The races and bearings shall be packed with lubricant to approximately
one-third the clearance volume unless otherwise specified.

**6.8 Grease Gun Application**

When grease is injected by a gun into a fitting until it extrudes around
the bearing outlets, the extruded grease shall be removed.

**6.9 Lubrication of Metal Sliding Surfaces (Plain bearings, Poppets,
etc.)**

Mating parts shall be thoroughly coated with a uniform film of
lubricant. There shall be no excess lubricant after parts are assembled.
Care shall be taken to prevent lubricant from entering vent, bleed or
pilot openings where blockage could occur.

**7.0 [PROCESS QUALIFICATION]{.underline}**

## None associated with the general usage of this specification. Specialized designs requiring long life, high loads, or temperature extremes should develop design specific lubricant qualification test programs that include lubricant application processes.

**8.0 [PROCESS VERIFICATION]{.underline}**

8.1 [In-Process Control]{.underline}: The lubrication procedure shall
require strict in-process controls, since the lubricated part cannot be
inspected after final assembly.

8.2 [Visual Inspection]{.underline}: Visual inspections shall be
performed with the unaided eye (without magnification).

**9.0 [TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL]{.underline}**

This process shall be performed by personnel qualified through training
or experience and certified by their supervision to conduct the process.

**10.0 [DEFINITIONS]{.underline}**

None.