Polar lubricant (was) Reaching the pole. (was Nautical Almanac)
Subject: Polar lubricant (was) Reaching the pole. (was Nautical Almanac)
From: Jared Sherman (jared.sherman@XXX.XXX)
Date: Wed Jul 03 2002 - 11:33:31 EDT
Robert-
You mention a silicon lubricant somewhat less than wholeheartedly. I had no plans to go to polar regions but on buying a used sextant found that congealed 20-year old grease needed to be removed even for a more temperate winter, and I happened to have a tube of Dupont Kyrtox grease to use for it. If you, or anyone else, wants a "permanent solution" I would suggest buying Krytox from an industrial supplier. It is a white grease (also, a clear oil) that is related to Teflon. Dupont claims it will function from -70F to +700F and it is also totally non-reactive in pure oxygen, chlorine, sulphur, acids, and other environments that will eat whatever it is trying to lubricate.
Needless to say the grease does not migrate, stain, or stiffen up.
