Nye Lubeletter - February 2010
From Whaleships to Microchips: Nye’s New Products for the Semiconductor Industry
Nye has a long and proud legacy of lubricant innovation in the Aerospace Industry. Similar to the demands of the “Final Frontier,” there is another industry with comparable extreme requirements and environmental controls. This is the Semiconductor Industry; an industry that recently expanded from mainly being known for Integrated Circuit Microchip design and fabrication to now include Flat Panel Televisions, Photovoltaic Cells, and Solar Panels. Nye’s involvement in the Semicon Industry has been longstanding as the NyeTorr® line of Semicon lubricants was first introduced in the late 90’s. Moving forward, Nye recognized that this rapidly expanding market called for innovative lubricants to help with specific demands of the Semiconductor Industry and to give new innovative options to their demanding lubrication needs.
Testing Developments for Electrically Conductive Greases
Nye has been developing a test method to measure the electrical conductivity of a bearing that contains a grease thickened with carbon black powder. Average Electrical Conductivity from a running bearing was measured for several hydrocarbon lubricants that were thickened with single and bi-modal carbon. By using a SRV4 Rotational Tribometer from Optimol Instruments of Munich, Germany, this method has the upper thrust washer of the bearing electrically isolated from the lower thrust washer by using insulating composite materials. This allows for contact resistance to be measured across the bearing. By using this apparatus we can continually measure the conductivity in the bearing while varying the rotational speed and monitoring the temperature.
Nye’s Type IV Grease - 8961MT
Nye has recently developed 8961MT, a perfluoropolyether (PFPE) grease thickened with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) that is certified to the Type IV, Mil-PRF-27617F specification and is listed on the Qualified Product Database (QPD). This specification is for greases resistant to hydrocarbon fuel and liquid oxygen for use as a lubricant in aerospace vehicles, aircraft, instrument, and supporting equipment. The Type IV grease has an operating temperature range of -73°C to 204°C. The 8961MT grease will also be used to formulate a grease to meet the Boeing BMS 3-34 specification.
Nye’s New Director of Technology
Anthony Grossi joined the Nye Technical Team last December as Director of Technology. His responsibilities include managing the Research & Development Laboratory, the Technical Support Engineers’ group and the Quality and EH&S Team. A Ph.D. graduate in Organic Chemistry, Tony brings to Nye an extensive knowledge of specialty additives in plastics, rubber, and lubricants. As a former Global Technical Director of Chemtura’s Petroleum Additives business, he developed a strong understanding of lubricant additives such as antioxidants, antiwear, anti-friction and dispersants.
Nye is pleased to welcome Tony to the Technical Team. His experience is going to be a great asset for the company and its customers.
Nye Solution for Assembly Aids
NyeFilm® 501F is a lubricious 15% aqueous dispersion of PTFE. This dispersion is applied in a “wet form” which then dries to the surface. NyeFilm® 501F was developed to have a controlled particle size distribution where no particles are greater than 10 microns. This allows for an even distribution of PTFE. Originally, NyeFilm® 501F was designed as an assembly aid dry film to substantially reduce insertion forces in automotive markets. Our customers require a lubricant that is both in “dry form” and environmentally friendly. NyeFilm® 501F provides superior lubricity while being cost effective and environmentally safe.
