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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Dielectric grease ?

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jCarroll

05-15-2005 06:09:08




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What is dielectric grease? Is it a conductor of electricity, or an insulator.

Does it do anything other than retard atmospheric corrosion?

Thanks for the lesson!




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fepo

05-16-2005 11:07:35




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 Re: Dielectric grease ? in reply to jCarroll, 05-15-2005 06:09:08  
Gerald is almost correct, but Dielectric grease is also mainly used to 'seal the connection' between dis-similar metals, ie:lead & copper, brass & lead etc.. becasue dissimilar metals when used to conduct electric current (especially high current like your starter motor and battery connections) will have a higher corrosion factor due to the way the disimilar metals conduct the current.. (there is a better explanation for this somewhere, but I'm too lazy to look for it..)

I've had my share of this when I built a few hybrid electric cars....

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Ralph, Ohio

05-16-2005 06:41:19




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 Re: Dielectric grease ? in reply to jCarroll, 05-15-2005 06:09:08  
If I remember correctly, some auto manufacturers used to recommend using the silicone grease on electrical connectors like coil & plug wires. Then after a few years experience recommended against it because the grease was found to trap and hold dirt which became conductive and eventually led to short-circuiting.



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buickanddeere

05-15-2005 18:11:58




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 Re: Dielectric grease ? in reply to jCarroll, 05-15-2005 06:09:08  
Dielectric grease will conduct heat to some degree as well. Electronics fastened to heat sinks will still burn out if a smear of grease isn't used to fill the gap between the modual and the sink. Great stuff for baulky electrical connectors, threads or cables being installed with sealing bushings. Lubes without eating the insulation away.



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Gerald J.

05-15-2005 20:04:26




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 Re: Dielectric grease ? in reply to buickanddeere, 05-15-2005 18:11:58  
Heat sink grease is filled with a ceramic powder. Pure dielectric grease is not a suitable substitute for heat sink grease.

Gerald J.



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buickanddeere

05-16-2005 05:36:24




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 Re: Dielectric grease ? in reply to Gerald J., 05-15-2005 20:04:26  
Looks like we have been using the wrong grease in the Nuclear Industry? It must be conducting some heat as tempurature related failures have stopped once grease was used.



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ScottP

05-16-2005 09:21:34




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 Re: Dielectric grease ? in reply to buickanddeere, 05-16-2005 05:36:24  
B&D
Maybe, if the Nuclear Industry switched to heatsink compound all the heat related failures would stop.
If that industry is using dielectric grease for heatsink compound, Then yes you are using the wrong grease.
Scott



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Gerald J.

05-15-2005 08:15:53




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 Re: Dielectric grease ? in reply to jCarroll, 05-15-2005 06:09:08  
Dielectric grease is an insulator. Generally silicone based. I find its good for lamp bases on trucks and trailers (as Ford applied it in the 80s) to slow corrosion. When used for ignition connections it both slows corrosion and it fills gaps between solid dielectrics so there's no air gaps. Since air has a much lower dielectric constant that solids minute air gaps with high voltage applied makes the air gaps arc first leading to heating damage to the adjacent solid dielectrics.

Gerald J.

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riverbend

05-15-2005 07:00:54




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 Re: Dielectric grease ? in reply to jCarroll, 05-15-2005 06:09:08  
Most dielectric grease is silicone based. It is an insulator. It is used to keep spark plug boots from sticking and helps preserve rubber parts. Conductive grease is used for aluminum wiring and battery terminals.



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