[TowerTalk] Connector Protection Grease

[Bob K6UJ]

Roger,

I was going to ask you if it is OK to flood a UHF connector with 
silicone grease if I am
running 1500 watts thru it but then I reread your first sentence about 
first being used
in the spark plug boots on B-17's.  So should be no problemo.......


Bob
K6UJ





On 5/11/16 1:19 PM, Roger (K8RI) on TT wrote:
> I would not hesitate to use a silicone dielectric grease in a UHF 
> connector.  Its first use was as a sealing grease in the spark plug 
> boots on B-17s in WWII for which it was developed.
>
> I think the silica in silicone greases confusion comes from the fact 
> that all silicones are essentially made from silica (powdered quartz) 
> which is highly abrasive, BUT the silica does not exist in silicones.  
> There is nothing abrasive in silicones unless its been added somewhere 
> along the line.  Silicone greases and silicone RTV are all derived 
> from Silicon dioxide (Quartz, or silica).  Quartz (Silicon Dioxide) is 
> turned into metallic silicon. That is treated with chemicals producing 
> a liquid.  That liquid is treated, or processed in many ways to get 
> the silicon used in semiconductors, greases, water proofing, RTVs, to 
> "non stick" treatments.
>
> That said, a high voltage arc, or any arc in silicones such as 
> dielectric greases will break the silicone down into silica which is 
> highly abrasive.
> Silicone grease as we think of it is NOT a lubricant, EXCEPT for slow 
> speeds like door hinges and latches, or the old TV tuners.. Used in 
> high speed applications, it will break down into silica.
>
> I base my statements on having worked many years for the company that 
> developed these compounds.
> I retired from them as a corporate level project manager.
>
> 73
>
> Roger  (K8RI)
>
>
>
> On 5/11/2016 Wednesday 3:14 PM, Bob K6UJ wrote:
>> Riki,
>>
>> I am planning to use a dielectric grease as you for the same purpose.
>> I haven't decided yet which one to use.
>> Here is an interesting write up about selecting a grease from W8JI's 
>> website.
>>
>> http://www.w8ji.com/dielectric_grease_vs_conductive_grease.htm
>>
>> 73,
>> Bob
>> K6UJ
>>
>>
>>
>> On 5/11/16 9:01 AM, Riki, K7NJ wrote:
>>> I am considering applying Loctite Dielectric Tune-up Grease  to the 
>>> mating
>>> surfaces of connectors that are difficult to access at the top of a 
>>> tower. I
>>> would appreciate comments about this - especially from anyone who 
>>> has used
>>> this product for this purpose.
>>>
>>> 73, Riki, K7NJ
>>>
>>>
>>>
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