Dry film lubricant for Steel/Aluminum threaded joint 3

[chopper75]

I have a threaded joint that we are having problems with. The male thread is 304 Stainless and the hole is 6061-T6. thread is 8-32. We are starting to get some failures in the threads (gauling, aluminum shavings...). We continuously use the same steel thread and the aluminum part may see as much as 10 cycles.

Would a dry film lubricant be of benefit on the male thread (such as Loctite 39893). I've never used such a product.

 

[dgallup]

While I'm sure there will be some benefit with a dry film lubricant it will diminish with use unless you re-apply it. 10 cycles may be OK with one application. How hard is the aluminum? If it's very soft I think you would still have some problems.

A more permanent solution would be a plating such as electroless nickel. Stainless steel is easily plated with electroless nickel, aluminum used to be difficult but I understand it's common today. You can get a wide range of electroless nickel with additives such as Teflon that will make it even lower friction. You may have to compensate your thread machining to allow for the plating build up.

Hard anodizing the aluminum would be another way to improve it's surface characteristics.

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[EdStainless]

Or use a threaded insert in the Al.

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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube

 

[romke]

It may help - and it may not. Solid lubricants usually are applied to one of the mating parts and then a part of the lubricant applied is transferred to the other object when the parts move relatively to another so both parts end up with a thin layer of solid lubricant. If it is the Al you want to protect the lubricant thus should be applied to the Al part first and not to the male thread, full separation of the parts could possibly achieved after a few times mounting and disassembling.

The product mentioned consists of solid lubricant dispersed in a carrier fluid and some diluent that needs to evaporate. Maybe a assembly paste (that usually has a grease like composition with quite a bit solid lubricant contained in it) might be more suitable.

I suggest you talk to some specialist suppliers that manufacture antiseize compounds and assembly pastes - they usually have a range of products tailored to very specific needs and may be capable offering useful advice based on their experience.

 

[djhurayt]

How about some anti-seize compound.

 

[WKTaylor]

Chopper 75...

IF practical, install a medium or heavy duty threaded steel insert [NOT helical coil] into the aluminum 'wet with sealant'.

Regards, Wil Taylor

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[metengr]

Double posting is frowned upon.

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