I used vasoline for years although I have since been told it's a bad idea...
There is so many "opinions" thrown around on TRF, you really have to make your own decision. There really isn't any right or wrong. It's what works for you.
In my opinion, since Aerotech says to use a petroleum (Vasoline) when you run out of their supplied lube, I don't see how anyone can say Vasoline is a "bad idea".
I forget who said that, but I wouldn't hesitate to use vasoline. I changed mainly to use hybrids.There is so many "opinions" thrown around on TRF, you really have to make your own decision. There really isn't any right or wrong. It's what works for you.
In my opinion, since Aerotech says to use a petroleum (Vasoline) when you run out of their supplied lube, I don't see how anyone can say Vasoline is a "bad idea".
When working with little motors that only burn for a fraction of a second to a few seconds, most stuff will probably work. The larger the motor, the longer the burn time, and therefore the more critical the decisions. Think what you are doing would have worked for the Challenger? Hence Dow 111 and probably a host of similar products that we would not encounter.
For Hybrids or Liquids, one has to consider that the environment is now a very hot oxidizer (potentially) and your grease can become a fuel. That would not be good... Plus the grease has to work well over a larger thermal envilope. Hence Krytox.
I use Krytox for some locations on my EX hybrid, but it is expensive. I use Dow 111 for everything else, solids and other parts of my hybrid.
Gerald
I ruined a 24/40 case once when I used olive oil..
Ben
My understanding is that the grease is only to protect the o-rings during assembly so they function correctly during burn. Are you saying that the grease is critical to o-ring seal in larger long burn motors?
Well holy carp, I just learned a thing.Dow 55 provides a superior seal over all others IMO. It causes o-rings to swell after assembly. The longer the motor is built before flying, the better the seal. Harder to disassemble though. Not hybrid safe.
Dow 55 provides a superior seal over all others IMO. It causes o-rings to swell after assembly. The longer the motor is built before flying, the better the seal. Harder to disassemble though. Not hybrid safe.
I would be very leery of anything that caused the o-rings to swell. That means it is chemically affecting the o-ring and their mechanical design properties. This could be contributing to a failure. I haven't heard of any o-ring manufacturer or equipment manufacture using o-rings that recommends a lubricant that chemically affects the properties of the o-rings. Engineers select o-rings base to the physical properties they have for the application. If the lubricant changes those physical properties, the whole reason for selection of that o-ring goes out the window and now you're just flying on a hope and a prayer.
Are you sure the 55 causes swelling? If it does, personally I won't be using it.
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