Is there a uk version of "triflow"

[toomush2drink]

In a lot of the posts i keep reading about triflow teflon lubricant but as yet i havent come across it in the uk. So where can i get a good teflon lubricant in the uk like triflow ?
At present i use gt85 with ptfe is this a similar product or is there something better ?

[oldlock]

A closer equivalent would be Kaba cleaning spray.

Paul

[Romstar]

Well, just in case someone wasn't paying attention in chemistry class, PTFE is Teflon.

Teflon is a trade name, registered by DuPont after they discovered the properties of the chemical compound PTFE, or Polytetrafluoroethylene in 1937 or '38.

While a vinyl polymer, PTFE begins as a long chain monomer, and is converted via a process known as free radical polymerization. I'd love to explain this reaction, but to be honest, it takes a few pages, and begins to get into nuclear chemistry. The reaction being dependent on making long chains from free radicals so formed by a loss of an electron at the atomic level.

Now, what we are really interested in is using PTFE as a free flowing lubricant. To be able to do this, we need particles small enough to act in that capacity. Under normal conditions, the polymerization process continues to create a large mass of polymer. However, a side effect of the process also causes small amounts to terminate the reaction in much smaller sizes.

So, while the reaction creates a compound that appears to be a uniform white powder, it is in fact made of many different sizes. The powder is sifted, and the smaller parts are seperated for differing uses as lubricants.

The smaller the particles, the better they penetrate and act as a lubricant. Also, PTFE has the added benefit of being a dry lubricant, and therefore does not attract dust or dirt. If the spray uses a fast evaporation carrier, the resultant film is excellent for lubricating small mechanics, and even has the benefit of being relatively non-transferable.

Because of PTFE's unique characteristic of not wanting to attacth to any other material, it is commonly used with another lubricant as a carrier. Commonly this is Molybedum Disulfide in small quantities. Another option is to use an adhension promoter which can help overcome PTFE's desire to move away from other materials.

So, if you see PTFE just think Teflon, and then move on to the other ingredients in the list.

Romstar

[toomush2drink]

Awww romstar ease up on me a little, i knew it was teflon but was just asking if there was anything better with maybe more in it. Well if anyone else has any wonders on what teflon is its there in your post. Is it me or have you gone through some sort of "post shortening " surgery ? They dont seem as long these days

ptfe was used back in the eighties in a big way to make carp fishing bite indicators because of its excellent "slipperyness" and lack of friction. Another mentioned on here as well is "dry lube" so what is that ? is it like graphite ? The problem i have as im sure a few of our cross alantic friends have is translations, sometimes im not sure if its a brand being discussed or a product.

[Romstar]

No surgery that I remember. What I do know is that I have been bloody busy around here, and sometimes I am lucky to get on and read.

I know all about translations, I sometimes think that I am the only person who understands both sides of the English language and the colourful slang that everyone seems to use from time to time.

There are some more interesting, and longer posts coming in the near future but these books and the new guide have been taking up much of my writing time. I got some bright ideas, and now I have to go about making them work.

"Dry lube" is often times graphite or PTFE, or sometimes MoS2 (Molybdendum Disulfide). Occasionaly Tungsten Disulfide is used, but this is less common.

At any rate, be sure that some new "essay length" Romstar posts are coming. It's just been hectic around here.

Romstar

[MrB]

Well, OK, let me try to help with a more constructiver answer.

From looking at Triflow's web site, their products seem to be strongly targeted at bicycle maintenance.

They have many lubricant and cleaning products, but Triflow Superior Dry Lubricant with Teflon comes in a small plastic bottle with a screw cap and a dripping nozzle.

This kind of lubricant is very common in the cycling world. It consists of finely divided Teflon in a fast evaporating solvent. If it happens to come in a translucent bottle, you can see all the solid stuff settled on the bottom of the bottle. You shake it vigorously before use, and periodically while using, and then drip it on your bicycle chain.

Other brands of dry lubricant exist, and they all tend to be packaged in a similar way. You would recognize them from the above description and from reading the label.

There are wax based lubricants that come also come packed in plastic drip bottles. I use one called White Lightning for my bike. It works the same way: you shake well and apply, and after the solvent evaporates it leaves a dry film of wax on the parts to be lubricated.

Triflow also sell what they call Superior Lubricant in various packages including aerosol, but this contains oils as well as Teflon. This may or may not be what you want since it is not "dry". Similarly, other manufacturers make oil/Teflon mix lubricants that are also not dry.

I'm not quite sure how the dry lubricant in a drip bottle could best be applied to a lock. To ensure even coating of all the parts, the lock should be disassembled first. In fact, to take the bicycle analogy, you should completely clean all the parts with a citrus degreaser (petrol/gasolene was traditional, but that is not environmentally friendly any more), dry the parts, lubricate and reassemble. But honestly, I can't see that being done with locks. Just get something with a spray, spray it in the lock, operate with the key a few times to work the lube into all the nooks and crannies, and job done?

I have to say that in the past when I knew no better, I lubricated sticky locks with light machine oil like 3-in-1. It works fine, but it leaves the lock and key wet and smelly with oil, so it is not really a very nice choice I think.

[MrB]

Comparing descriptions, the GT85 lube in the metal spray can looks to be a very similar product to the aerosol version of Triflow Superior Lubricant.

Both claim penetration, freeing, water displacement and lubrication, and both contain petroleum oils and PTFE.

[Peaky]

You can get Triflow in the UK but i have not seen it recentally, when i did see it however it was the bike shops that seemed to stock the most,

Romstar, thanks for that, you learn somthing new everyday! i didnt know ptfe was the same thing as teflon!! and ive been using it at work for years, now i know that i will start on the supply of ptfe sprays that i have for lubricating my locks.

[Romstar]

You're welcome Peaky.

I try to learn at least one new thing per day myself. I find as I get older that I sometimes have to repeat things to myself so that they stick. So the one item per day rule helps. I just with the tax office understood that.

Mr. B didn't seem to think it as constructive. I guess I'm going to have to work on my tongue in cheek.

Oh well, sarcasm never did translate well.
Romstar

[toomush2drink]

Its those shorter posts of yours romstar thats throwing people off with your sarcasm

[Romstar]

That doesn't surprise me at all.

I think I am going to have to put voice software on here, and then I can just dictate a few new essay length posts.

There are some new ones coming, I guess i just have to get my rear in gear and start typing them up.

Romstar

[toomush2drink]

Quick mr picks time to order a bigger server..............

[Peaky]

[macaba]

'Temperature of 200c under a pressure of about severn megapascals, in the presence of a phosphorus acid catalyst supported on kieselguhr'

Sounds like a volatile process to me, polymerisation does.

[MrB]

'Temperature of 200c under a pressure of about severn megapascals'

You know, that's quite mild compared to some processes. There are low-density polyethylene processes that have tubular reactors over a mile long operating at pressures up to 3400 atmospheres.

In comparison, seven megapascals is only about 70 atmospheres.