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greasing teflon
- Thread starter dian
- Start date
- Replies 14
- Views 2,648
Milland
Diamond
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2006
- Location
- Hillsboro, New Hampshire
You must have a Kluber distributor in your area, why not contact that company and get a recommendation from an engineer?
I would caution that I'd want the steel polished as best as possible in the contact area, pure Teflon isn't my choice for a wear resistant seal. As to dirt ingress, how exposed is the shaft and seal? If it's in a dirty area, some sort of secondary shield may help.
I would caution that I'd want the steel polished as best as possible in the contact area, pure Teflon isn't my choice for a wear resistant seal. As to dirt ingress, how exposed is the shaft and seal? If it's in a dirty area, some sort of secondary shield may help.
Sidebite
Aluminum
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2008
- Location
- Lomita, CA
Grease is unlikely to damage the Teflon directly, but it would probably have higher drag from the viscous friction. If dirt is an issue, I think the grease might make it more likely to carry dirt into the gap as it gets churned by the rotation. Is rust likely on the shaft? That is one situation where using grease may be better than not. Metal shafts running in Teflon bushings or seals often show a reduction in friction and wear after an initial break-in period that allows a film of Teflon to transfer onto the metal surface.
David_M
Hot Rolled
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2014
- Location
- Midway, GA, USA
If the movement is rotation and only 20 degrees, can you add a bellows clamped to the bearing and the shaft for a 100% seal?
Also, consider an Igus or similar engineered bearing.
steve-l
Titanium
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2012
- Location
- Geilenkirchen, Germany
Roulon is a better choice and no lubrication. Keep it dry.
michiganbuck
Diamond
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2012
- Location
- Mt Clemens, Michigan 48035
Perhaps the speed/RPM would be a factor in making a decision, adding seals of some sort.
Grease is likely to attract contamination and increase wear.
Teflon bearings, and other Teflon impregnated plastics, work by transferring material from the bearing onto the running surface of other component. You can't get material transfer if it is covered in grease, this can either defeat the purpose of the Teflon or increase the time required for break-in substantially.
Teflon bearings, and other Teflon impregnated plastics, work by transferring material from the bearing onto the running surface of other component. You can't get material transfer if it is covered in grease, this can either defeat the purpose of the Teflon or increase the time required for break-in substantially.
ezduzit
Hot Rolled
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2013
- Location
- Marina del Rey, California
Rulon, yes I too think this would be superior.
The grease could be employed simply to keep the shaft from rusting.
BoxcarPete
Stainless
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2018
- Location
- Michigan, USA
From what I've heard so far, I think dry with a dust boot sounds like your best option. Dry without a dust boot is probably next best. Teflon is pretty soft so any contaminants will probably embed themselves and not cause too much harm unless it's really dirty.
rons
Diamond
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2009
- Location
- California, USA
The word from the Graduate was "Plastics"
Today the word has been refined to be Teflon. Black graphite dust on white Teflon. If you just use some oil or grease just see how long it will stick.
But in my experience the Teflon is slippery enough.
Plus:
The graphite on Teflon will make it look black. If it was a grease or oil the surrounding dust/dirt in the air can stick to it.
For graphite dust it should not be so bad.
Today the word has been refined to be Teflon. Black graphite dust on white Teflon. If you just use some oil or grease just see how long it will stick.
But in my experience the Teflon is slippery enough.
Plus:
The graphite on Teflon will make it look black. If it was a grease or oil the surrounding dust/dirt in the air can stick to it.
For graphite dust it should not be so bad.
Last edited:
mhajicek
Diamond
- Joined
- May 11, 2017
- Location
- Maple Grove, MN, USA
Any dust or grit that gets impregnated into the Teflon will act as an abrasive on the shaft.
BoxcarPete
Stainless
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2018
- Location
- Michigan, USA
That's true of any bearing material, but due to the larger hardness gap between teflon and your average shaft (compared to bronze for example), the effect is reduced.
