Improved Methods for Determining Thermophysical and Thermochemical Properties

The Air Force is interested in assessing the performance envelope of sources capable of developing and harnessing technologies supporting the "Improved Methods for Determining Thermophysical and Thermochemical Properties" program. Sources are sought having the required knowledge and demonstrated capability to developing new test methods to determine the thermochemical and thermophysical properties of advanced fluids and lubricants, including coolants with tailorable properties such as nanofluids and phase change materials, hydraulic fluids, gas turbine engine oils and greases. Where applicable, existing test methods may be used. The new test methods must be validated and proven to provide accurate and repeatable data. The research efforts of the Air Force Research Laboratory's Materials and Manufacturing Directorate's Nonstructural Materials Branch produce a wide variety of candidate advanced base fluids, additives and formulations. The anticipated chemical classes of the majority of the anticipated candidate materials are the polyalphaolefins and the perfluoropolyalkylethers. Their unique chemistry results in many of the existing test methods, which were originally developed to study mineral oil based fluids, to be not applicable. An example of this is the four ball wear test (ASTM D2266), which usually predicts the boundary lubricating ability of candidate lubricants quite well. This test method predicts that the perfluoropolyalkylether-based fluids would function quite well in boundary lubrication regimes, but when attempts are made to use them in application where the primary lubrication regime is boundary, they are totally unacceptable. Another deficiency with currently available test methods is that they frequently require significantly larger sample sizes than are typically available with advanced fluids and lubricants based on newly emerging materials technology. Thermochemical and thermophysical properties of interest include: thermal and oxidative stabilities up to 425 degrees C, Corrosion-0xidation stability up to 400 degrees C, thermal conductivity up to 325 degrees C, specific heat, heat of vaporization of liquid to gas phase change coolants and heat of fusion for solid to liquid phase change materials, pressure-viscosity and pressure-density coeffients for pressures from 0 to 3000 psia at temperatures up to 325 degrees C, isothermal secant and adiabatic tangent bulk moduli, flammability characteristics, kinematic and absolute viscosities from -54 to 350 degrees C, corrosion inhibition properties, vapor pressure up to 400 degrees C, pour points down to -70 degrees C, lubricity up to 400 degrees C, oxygen sensitivity and metal analysis. The lubricity test methods must be capable of determining wear as a function of actual time, measureing coefficient of friction and fluid and metal test temperature. All of the techniques must be capable of using as small volume as possible since these candidate materials will typically be available in small quantities initially. The period of performance for the entire program is 65 months; 60 months of technical effort, and five (5) months for completing a final technical report. The program will initially consist of one (1) task order that will incude the following objectives: 1. Determine thermochemical and thermophysical properties of advance fluids and lubricants, and 2. Develop and validate suitable improved test methods for determining the critical thermochemical and thermophysical properties of advanced fluids and lubricants when the existing test methods are not suitable or practical. Key technical requirements of this program shall include the following characteristics: (a) Development of critical thermochemical and thermophysical properties of advanced fluids and lubricants using existing test methods if applicable. (b) Developing new test methods where existing methods either are not applicable or do not provide adequate information on the potential performance of the material in its intended application. Interested parties should submit a Statement of Capabilities reflecting their interest and capability in meeting the requirements above. Information submitted should be pertitent and specific in the technical area under consideration, as outlined above and for each of the following qualifications: (1) Experience-Provide an outline of previous projects, specific work previously performed, or any in-house research and development effort or similar type of work that is currently being performed. (2) Personnel-Provide the name, professional qualifications and specific experience of scientist, engineering, and other technical personnel who could be assigned as a principal investigator and project officers / technical support personnel. (3) Facilities-Provide availability and description of special facilities required to performed in the technical areas under consideration. Include supplemental lab facilities if available. (4) Other Qualifications-Provide other specific and pertinent information as pertains to this particular area of procurement, which would enhance the government's consideration and evaluation of the information submitted. Please include the following with your response: name and address of firm; point of contact and telephone number; business size (i.e, large, small, small disadvantaged, 8(a), women-owned, veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, HUB Zone, HBCU/MI-historically black colleges and universities/minority institutions). Statements of capabilities are due electronically to the Air Force no later than 25 July 2008, and shall be forwarded to the following e-mail address: Gary.Victor@wpafb.af.mil. Address contractual questions to Gary Victor, Contract Negotiator (DET 1 AFRL/PKMN), via (937) 255-5435. Direct technical related issues to Ed Snyder, Project Engineer (AFRL/RXBT), via (937) 255-9036.