Whats the best dry lubricant?

[mike os]

I have a machine to assemble and really don't think oil or grease is an ideal lubricant for several assemblies that will be used by non engineering operators.

Parts are threaded, clip together ... etc.

Given the environment and use ideally wants to be non marking and not wipe off every time you touch it.

I'm guessing its going to be a ptfe spray... whats the best? Any alternatives?

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

https://www.screwfix.com/p/wd-40-dr...IWS8AJbk_1wEjEXlllBoCd80QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds used this on locks with good results

Probably find something cheaper in bulk but have no experience of others

Used to use graphite powder but couldn't get any intime to solve an issue.

 

[Nomad]

I often use graphite spray. It comes in an aerosol can with nozzle, goes on wet then the carrier (alcohol?) evaporates to leave a lubricated dry surface.

Random link https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/holt...rocarparts&utm_content=DSA - Bing - Catch All

 

[mike os]

I don’t think graphite will be acceptable

 

[slim_boy_fat]

assemblies that will be used by non engineering operators.

Are they so useless that they can't be taught?

 

[Munkul]

That WD40 dry PTFE spray is good stuff! and doesn't leave much residue if any.

Not sure why non-engineering operators can't be told to use lube? There's always time for lube

 

[hotponyshoes]

I use the graphite one in an aerosol.
You can just spray a bit into the lid and then brush it on if you don't want overspray.
Or spray a load into the lid and leave it to dry then you can dip bolts etc into it


If there are other reasons that graphite is not acceptable there is some sort of food safe stuff as well, I have got some that I use for my hog roasting machine. Can look up the name later if needed

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Bee's wax.

 

[Agroshield]

Maybe browse the Rocol catalogue and see what looks good. Perhaps contact their technical support. Then find an equivalent.

 

[voipio]

Is there any chance of re-manufacturing, or adapting some of the parts to use self lubricating plastic on things like bushes or sliding surfaces? There are several types of suitable polymer around e.g. PEEK PVE, PTFE.

If the usage is light/occasional, you might get away with using a bit of furniture polish every now and then, or a thin smear of silicone grease. Without further detail from the OP it's difficult to give best advice. Dry lubricants tend to require re-application, so a maintenance schedule would need to be put in place.

Another possibility is to send the parts off for a coating of Parylene. It's PTFE like in feel, though some derivatives don't have any fluorine atoms in the polymer, and the process bonds the polymer to the surfaces, so stays around for longer.

.

 

[mike os]

Are they so useless that they can't be taught?

Guess?

 

[mike os]

@hotponyshoes yes please, grapite is too close in colour to some products

@voipio no chance, its steel mainly ..... titanium would have been the only alternative

 

[MCKDAVID]

dry silicon spray?
made by 3m model n° 08897

 

[Brad93]

Some sort of Graphite Or Graphite/Molybdenum powder we used to use on the equipment at ESAB, ball screws, bellows, lead screws etc.

 

[hotponyshoes]

Rocol 34235

 

[mr haynes]

Finish Line?

From my cycling days...

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Finish-Line-Teflon-Plus-Dry-Lubricant_25854.htm