[TowerTalk] Lubricants and Coatings corrosion control

[Grant Saviers]

Lanacote is 90% lanolin + 10% solvents per MSDS. Lanolin has been around 
forever as a lubricant.  Probably used on Ben Hur's chariot wheels. 
Much to recommend it as it is very resistant to water washout and very 
safe.  Not very good as temperature increases.  I'm not sure about UV 
resistance, probably poor.  A poor choice for ball bearings IMO since 
much better is available.  Especially for the various mechanisms that 
cause bearing failures.

Modern chemistry has provided more sophisticated compounds for exposed 
corrosion and wear protection (eg Loctite LB8023, read the MSDS!) and 
synthetic greases with additives that contribute to lubricity.   I'm 
partial to full synthetic grease since there is no oil to separate from 
the carrier or evaporate.  They are also insoluble in water, UV, and 
temperature resistant.  Synthetic open gear grease is another category 
of choices.

Probably most important than surface lubrication for cam followers is to 
have ones with grease nipples so the ball bearings can be regularly 
lubricated.  I retrofitted my seven K0XG rings cam followers with 
nipples and have synthetic grease applied bi-annually. I haven't greased 
the mating surfaces, that might be worthwhile as the galvanizing wears. 
  Having grease washout/heat drip onto the tower is a downside. (I 
worked in a un-airconditioned 1900's New England woolen mill and the 
lanolin dripped out of the floors all over everything in the summer.  We 
had summer shirts permanently stained with big brown splotches).

Greases good for low speed sliding and rolling bearings usually are not 
good choices for high speed ball bearings.  Precision bearing lubricants 
are an entirely different set of greases.

My go to for low speed stuff and many other uses (incl. lubing solid 
fuel rocket motor parts for later disassembly) is full synthetic Synco 
Super Lube with PTFE.    https://www.grainger.com/ec/pdf/44N718_4.pdf 
Widely available.  They now make more varieties with different additives.

Grant KZ1W

On 1/14/2021 09:00, CEPitts wrote:
> Thought I would share some knowledge I gained in a recent 
> rework/refurbishing on two thrust bearings I had in my inventory. The 
> two bearings were a Rohn TB3 and Rohn TB4 which I had acquired some time 
> ago on some used tower, accessories, etc.  The two bearings had been 
> beaten up by the weather and had suffered severe corrosion out in the 
> elements. They appeared to be salvageable so I took them to a very 
> reputable machine shop to be worked on here in Eastern NC on the 
> southern outer banks.
> 
> The owner is very knowledgeable with years of extensive experience and a 
> very nice guy. A pleasure to know! He stated he could remove the old 
> hardware and get the bearings to perform as they should. I showed him 
> the new cost of said bearings and he gave me a price I could not refuse. 
> They would not have to end up in the junk/scrap pile.
> 
> Very pleased with the result and he offered the following advice based 
> on dissimilar metals and the salt air environment at our location. The 
> advice would also apply to other locales as well. When I need to replace 
> the bolts/hardware that hold the mast in place going thru the bearing he 
> recommended using a product called "Lanacote". If I was going to use 
> stainless hardware with the aluminum of the bearing it would be 
> beneficial. Other hardware choices would also benefit from the 
> "Lanacote" coating. A web search shows the product available from 
> numerous sources and can be obtained in various amounts and applications 
> including spray cans and bottles.
> 
> I am wondering if it would be beneficial on cam followers such as what 
> is used on rotating towers as well as tic ring hardware/rollers, etc.? 
> Hazer hardware as well as any tower with mechanical moving parts? What 
> say the group and the extensive knowledge found here? I believe I will 
> use this product. If there is a similar product that protects against 
> corrosion I would be interested in hearing about it. In particular I 
> have seen cam followers and tic ring corrosion that is very disturbing. 
> How many times something like this may need to be applied over the 
> course of a year is a question I still have. Maybe this info is helpful 
> to the group and others can share their thoughts. 73! Charles "Ed" K5OF
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