Progress of tribology of perfluoropolyether oil

Perfluoropolyether (PFPE) oil has been used as lubricant for aerospace, magnetic recording system and so on for decades. A review was given on synthetic method, physical and tribological properties, lubrication and degradation mechanism of PFPE, especially in aerospace and magnetic recording system. Compared to hydrocarbon lubricant, PFPE has wider temperature range, lower vapor pressure, but usually much more wear, and it is easily degraded by catalysis, eletron beam and ion beam. It is proposed that more chemical stability, better antiwear ability lubricants for aerospace should be developed.