Tiodize Rolls out a Better Grease for High-Temperature Fasteners
Tiodize has developed new greases that work at temperatures up to 1,400F. When applied to threaded fasteners in jet and other gas turbines, these new T8E greases prevent galling, or the cold-welding of two metals to each other. When galling occurs, parts must be cut apart. So the new Tiodize greases could save substantial time and money in maintenance shops.
Development of the products began many years ago, when the U.S. Air Force came to Tiodize seeking a lubricant to replace silver on threaded fasteners for use at temperatures up to 1,400F. Tiodize first developed 614-T7E/11, a heat-cured coating that could be applied to engine fasteners. Later, a slight change was made to increase the coefficient of friction, and the new coating was dubbed 614-T9B. The companies that make fasteners for jet engines have been using the Tiodize coatings for 15 years. Their nuts and bolts are sent to Tiodize to be coated with the high-temperature lubricant and then sent to the engine manufacturers for use in their jet powerplants.
The new grease by Tiodize allows fasteners to be removed easily, even after long exposures to high temperatures. These greases are inorganic and do not contain any metallic or sulfur-producing materials. The latter could cause cracking of high-strength fasteners when exposed to high temperatures. The greases can be obtained directly from Tiodize or through its distributor Fastenal.
