[SCCC] Copper Paste

[Art K6XT]

I have used ordinary molybdenum disulfide based automotive grease for 
many years. When I disassembled my Ramona station, antennas that had 
been up in that salty environment for 16 years came apart like the day I 
put them together. No aluminum oxide (the insulator) formation. And no 
electrical contact issues using SS hoseclamps. Ditto copper to aluminum 
such as the feed point lugs.

Noalox is also good but more expensive and can't also be used on wheel 
bearings, tractor joints etc.

Copper to aluminum will corrode in a heartbeat without a barrier. Check 
the electronegativity specs. What I've done where grease wasn't' so 
advisable, such as in the shack where the XYL, visitors etc can get it 
on clothing, is to interface brass between the Cu and Al. This stops the 
destructive galvanic action dead.

Regardless of your choice be sure to also coat any SS fasteners with it 
so they don't gall. My empirical education has included plenty of 
broken, galled, SS bolts.

73 Art
Allison, Colorado
"Idealism is fine," Mr Buckley said, "but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive."
CWOps 728
NAQCC 1342




On 2011-06-11 22:59, sccc-request at contesting.com wrote:
> Re: Copper Paste