Nye Lubeletter - January 2004
Aerospace Applications Push Lube Envelope
Lubricants in space mechanisms need staying power. Missions depend on them. After all, you can’t relube bearings on a probe heading toward Jupiter. The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base often singles out three types of synthetic lubricants for critical applications: Perfluoropolyethers (PFPEs), multiply alkylated cyclopentanes (MACs) and Silahydrocarbons (SiHCs). Nye offers all five types of PFPEs in its UniFlor™ line of oils and greases. The exclusive North American distributor for Pennzane fluids, Nye offers formulated MAC oils and greases. Nye also synthesizes experimental, not yet commercialized SiHCs for Wright-Patterson.
Toyota Forklifts
Toyota Industrial Equipment launched its Forklift Maintenance Kit Program in Japan in 2003 and Nye’s Fluorocarbon Gel 880 played a key role. The “Brake Maintenance Kit,” one of Toyota’s genuine service parts, contains abrasive paper to remove build-up on disc brakes. Paper wipes are included to clean the surfaces. Fluorocarbon Gel 880 completes the kit to ensure a tight seal between parts during brake reassembly. Flurocarbon Gel 880 offers excellent resistance to water, thermal oxidation, and brake oil and remains stable over a wide temperature range (40°C to 200°C). Kits are being assembled in Nagoya by Tsuchiya Co., Ltd., Nye’s representative in Japan.
Get Smart About Grease
The best synthetic grease for gears starts with the right oil. Synthetic hydrocarbon oils are the most widely used. They remain fluid at -60°C, are compatible with many plastics, and relatively inexpensive. Synthetic esters are ideal for cut-metal and powdered-metal gearing, especially iron and steel. Polyglycols, frequently used in worm gear applications, have an affinity for brass and phosphate bronze. Silicones and PFPEs are compatible with nearly all gearing plastics, as they are suitable for broad temperature applications. Both have shown exceptional, low-temperature torque characteristics.
