Fluorosilicone greases vs. Silicone greases
Fluorosilicone greases vs. Silicone greases
(OP)
One of my main projects at my company is to reduce our inventory of adhesives and other chemicals. I've been asked to look at our lubricants and try to cut down on what we use.
In particular, I'm comparing Molykote 3452 (fluorosilicone base with ptfe filler) and Parker Super O-Lube (conventional silicone grease). The molykote's viscosity is almost a factor of ten lower than the O-lube, but otherwise the only difference seems to be the base.
In general, it looks like fluorosilicone lubes have all the advantages of silicone lubricants, plus other advantages like:
They will not swell silicone o-rings
Higher load capacity for metal-metal contact
Effective at lower speeds
Better chemical resistance
I'm not finding out what the disadvantages are. Other than cost, is there any reason to prefer a silicone based grease like O-Lube over the fluorosilicone grease?
In particular, I'm comparing Molykote 3452 (fluorosilicone base with ptfe filler) and Parker Super O-Lube (conventional silicone grease). The molykote's viscosity is almost a factor of ten lower than the O-lube, but otherwise the only difference seems to be the base.
In general, it looks like fluorosilicone lubes have all the advantages of silicone lubricants, plus other advantages like:
They will not swell silicone o-rings
Higher load capacity for metal-metal contact
Effective at lower speeds
Better chemical resistance
I'm not finding out what the disadvantages are. Other than cost, is there any reason to prefer a silicone based grease like O-Lube over the fluorosilicone grease?





RE: Fluorosilicone greases vs. Silicone greases
Generally, a higher viscosity grease should ensure a better, more consistent stream of oil. Assuming the thickener doesn't get in the way of the lubrication, in which case you would have noise. Both choices in oil type are comparatively low volatility, so lubricant retention in terms of evaporation should be acceptable. My only question for DOW (Molykote) is if, under boundary contact, fluorine will react with the surface, iron for example, create a catalyst and promote polymer degradation.
If you need more information on how to choose a low friction coating, I'd be happy to help you at:
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Best wishes.
William Gunnar
http://www.IndustrialCoatingsWorld.com
RE: Fluorosilicone greases vs. Silicone greases
The current application involves o-ring lubrication, the majority of which are buna-n, some viton, a potential for silicone in the future. Most o-rings are static but a few are used to seal areas that will be rotated back and forth at very low rpm. The o-ring is sandwiched between steel, or steel/aluminum, or aluminim/UHMWPE. Room temperature, 1 atm use, with short term exposure to chemicals and/or high pressure steam for cleaning between uses. Not user-serviceable, but will be recovered and remanufactured a few times, at which point the seals will be replaced and relubed. Money is never not an issue, but these come close.
From the research I've been doing it's looking like there's no reason to not use the fluorosilicone, but I'll be glad to hear any other ideas
RE: Fluorosilicone greases vs. Silicone greases
Thanks for posting.
William Gunnar
http://www.IndustrialCoatingsWorld.com
RE: Fluorosilicone greases vs. Silicone greases
RE: Fluorosilicone greases vs. Silicone greases
William Gunnar
http://www.IndustrialCoatingsWorld.com