[TowerTalk] Aluminum Boom Lubricant: Yes or Nope?

[Jim Lux]

https://www.tefgel.com/contain.php?param=tefgel_infor

Seems to be 40% PTFE powder in some sort of carrier

This makes me wonder if teflon tape might not be something useful for fasteners? Same sort of mechanism of creating a barrier (although t-tape in plumbing fittings gets split at the peaks of the threads on both sides, but the “side of thread to side of thread” mating surface has a teflon barrier (and seal). 

As for aluminum tubing to aluminum tubing - the question would be whether you make electrical contact (which is needed in an antenna). But conceivably, you only need a few small points of electrical contact, while most of the contact is for mechanical reasons. So a coating of something like t-tape (not quite all of the joint covered), would help it break free for disassembly, but leave some (which might bond) for the electrical connection.


On Sun, 17 Aug 2025 10:12:56 -0700, "Richard (Rick) Karlquist" <richard at karlquist.com> wrote:

What a great posting, Patrick. TT proves its worth again.
I think this may be the winner. I would like to ask if it is less messy
to use on SS bolts than the anti-seize they sell at auto stores. That
stuff works well in my experience, but makes a big mess.

73
Rick N6RK

On 8/17/2025 8:18 AM, W7TMT - Patrick wrote:
> A product that is the mainstay in the marine world for preventing dissimilar corrosion and binding is TefGel. On sailboats the masts are mostly aluminum and all the hardware attached is stainless steel and affixed with stainless fasteners. The aluminum to SS corrosion issue is well known. Here in the saltwater environment the parts live 24/7 in a saltwater fog.
>
> I just removed the base of a winch that I last installed 12 years ago. Its location is such that in heavy weather it has on many occasions been washed with saltwater coming over the bow. It came apart effortlessly with no more torque required than if it had been stored in a garage for that time. I also saw this compound used in the aerospace/defense industry where I worked for 35 years. In addition to applications that are certain to see saltwater exposure, I use it on all SS bolt/nuts to prevent galling.
>
> Might be worth a look to see if it meets your needs. It is a mainstay for dissimilar metal protection in the marine world. Not cheap but amazing effective.
>
>
> https://ultratef-gel.com/
>
>
> 73
> Patrick, W7TMT
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TowerTalk  On Behalf Of Steve Harrison
> Sent: Saturday, August 16, 2025 07:34
> To: towertalk at contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Aluminum Boom Lubricant: Yes or Nope?
>
> What is the collective Wisdom concerning the use of an aluminum-to-aluminum lubricant (such as Penetrox) between boom pieces, one of which is swaged? I am reassembling several older monobanders but using OWA dimensions here in the desert (no salt water corrosion). We have nearly-continuous mild-to-heavy winds, 10 - 15 to 45 - 60 mph, nearly year round, so the boom pieces must be solidly bolted together; yet, I'd like the option of being able to take them apart again at some time in the future.
>
> TNX,
>
> Steve K0XP
>
>
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