QUALITY COATINGS & HEADER SALES
Don't be fooled by our competition's higher prices!
|
QUALITY COATINGS & HEADER SALES Don't be fooled by our competition's higher prices!
|
 
|
Dry Film Lubricants: Dry film lubricants, also known as solid film lubricants, provide a lubricating film that reduces friction, inhibits galling and seizing and in some instances can aid in dispersing heat. The appearance is generally a charcoal gray and takes on a sheen upon burnishing. They are slippery and provide an extremely low coefficient of friction. The dry film lubricants will burnish until they are no longer visible to the eye however, these lubricants have been impregnated into the microscopic pores of the metals during the application process and are still providing protection. They are applied at thickness ranging from .0005 to .0015. However, before assembly the coating may be burnished back to less than .0002 with gentle buffing using " Scotchbright" or similar material. NO CHANGES need to be made in clearances due to the use of these coatings. In many instances because of the reduced part temperature and increased lubrication tighter clearances may be run. Performance type coatings fall into four general categories they are: 1) Dry Film lubricants 2) Thermal Barriers 3) Thermal Dispersants 4) Corrosion and Chemical Resistant It should be noted that some coatings would fall into more than one category. You might have, as an example, a Corrosion Inhibitor that is also a Thermal dispersants The following information will provide a general overview on coatings falling into these categories. The two most important components are the binders and lubricating ingredients. Without a good binder the coating will not stay in place and will simply cold flow or buff off in operation. Similar coatings using the same pigments but different binding systems can show a wide variation in load carrying abilities, ranging from 100,000 psi to over 350,000 psi. The pigments determine the actual lubricating potential. PTFE, as an example, is listed as having the lowest coefficient of friction (COE). However, under high speed and load, the COE of PTFE degrades while that of mos2 (moly) improves, until it is significantly better than PTFE Selecting the proper ingredients can make or break a coating. The above categories are only general and give the most common characteristics desired Additional coatings can either, shed or retain oil, provide flame retardancy, deter dissimilar metal reaction, harden a part or provide a conforming film to tighten clearances, build up surfaces to restore clearance, and more.One of the obvious reasons for using a lubricating coating is to reduce friction, which improves wear, extends part life and frees up HP normally lost to friction. A second major benefit is a reduction in part temperature. This is especially important to such parts as valve springs. Here the pigment choice is critical as certain ingredients can trap heat in a part. Not all coating are created equal It is recommended by TECH LINE that coatings using PTFE be avoided in these cases Contact our TECH DEPT before choosing a dry film lubricant if you are not sure. Thermal Barrier Coatings: Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBC’s) are designed to reduce the movement of heat. In some instances, such as exhaust systems, you want to keep the heat within the part. In combustion chambers you want to use the heat generated by combustion to push down on the piston rather that bleed off into surrounding surfaces. Due to continued testing we are framing that simple thermal barrier action is not the only characteristic that is important. In fact certain TBC’s will move an engine into detonation. TBC coatings can be made from a variety of materials. Ceramics get the most attention, though there are other materials that are superior in specific applications. The proper choice is critical to the overall function of the coating. Thermal dispersants: Being able to move and control heat is of tremendous importance. Excessive temperature can lead to metal fatigue, boiling fluids, damaging metal expansion, reduce electrical efficiency and a host of other problems. Traditionally dealing with heat has been handled either by expanding the radiating-surface, constructing parts from materials that are more heat conductive and using the color black. With advances in thermal management methods additional ways of enhancing heat transfer now exist. Individual products such as Thermal dispersants (TLTD), can be utilized by themselves or in conjunction with other coatings to manage the flow of heat. TLTD is capable of transferring heat faster than the bare metal surface. While TLTD does make use of the color black, TLTD is more than a simple black body heat emitting coating. TLTD includes ingredients that also contribute to increased heat flow. Combining these properties with increased corrosion protection and the thin film application technique maximizes thermal transfer capabilities. Effective on brakes, intake manifolds, cylinder heads, oil pans, radiators, intercoolers and more. Certain Dry Film lubricants are capable of reducing part temperature not only through the reduction of friction but also through increased thermal flow. The active ingredients accelerate the movement of heat. This is especially beneficial on valve springs where excess heat can lead to accelerated fatigue and in some instance breakage. Corrosion and Chemical inhibiting Coatings The loss of effectiveness, reduction in part life and deteriorating appearance due to corrosion/chemical damage is of real concern. Loosing a well matched/tuned header to rust is not only expensive, but also frustrating. A good aluminum manifold can become junk if the water inlet area corrodes excessively. Keeping components clean and attractive is of concern when promoting your vehicle or the parts you manufacture to potential sponsors or customers. Thermal Tech offers a variety of protective coatings that also enhance the appearance of a part. Many of these coatings will have additional benefits such as Thermal Barrier or Thermal Dispersants capabilities. |
|
Hours of Operation: Monday thru Friday 9:00 - 6:00 PM EST. Telephone: 804-452-0263 Toll Free: 1-877-754-9795
Send mail to
webmaster@thermaltechcoatings.com with
questions or comments about this web site. |
