[GreenKeys] Yet another magic lubricant

[Scott Johnson]

If the gears are Nylon, they will likely tolerate years of contact with
Lubriplate, if they are Delrin, maybe not so long.  I don't think it was
ever contemplated by Heath, HP(or any manufacturer for that matter) that the
plastic gears in their products would have to stand up to forty years of
operation and exposure to lubricants.  It is incumbent upon us, then, to
find compatible lubricants for our "treasures".  We will likely be forced to
take extreme and costly measures that would make most folks deem us ready
for the fun factory.  Hence, my use of exotic epoxies and lubricants, most
of which are designed for extreme environments , such as high vacuum, and
cryogenic temperatures.

Scott

-----Original Message-----
From: greenkeys-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:greenkeys-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Steve Schlink
Sent: Friday, June 24, 2011 10:23 AM
To: Larry Tighe
Cc: greenkeys at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [GreenKeys] Yet another magic lubricant

Lar,

At 12:56 PM 6/24/2011 -0400 Larry Tighe  wrote:
>For some reason, I thought the gears were nylon !  Not so?????
>
>And, if plastic, what does the "wrong" grease do to them???

         Basically, breaks the polymer chains, which effectively destroys
the plastic. Similar to what UV does to many plastics.

         Firstly, "plastic" is such a broad term that generalization is
problematic. All plastics aren't rigid, think O-rings.
         The plasticizers used to make them flexible adds a whole 'nother
problem with grease compatibility.
         Some plastics are actually rather porous, like a sponge and can
absorb some lubricating fluids causing swelling.
         Contrary to popular belief, silicones (properly polysiloxanes) will
react with and degrade some plastics.

Steve 

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