Plastic On Plastic Lubricant

Table 1 gives general compatibility guidelines.

Plastic on plastic lubricant.

Another reason which may not be apparent is the reduction of friction between the molecules of the plastic materials. Because silicone oil is super slippery and minimally reactive it can lubricate most anything. Machinery parts and components made from plastic can be an easier and more cost effective alternative to traditional metal parts for some applications. Standard petroleum based lubricants cannot be used for plastic gears and some plastic gears are designed to be used without lubricants.

Some plastic gears can be embedded with lubricating materials such as ptfe silicone or graphite. This quick study contains tips that will help you choose the best lubricant for your plastic part with special notes on gears. As with all things silicone has its dark side. Similar to metal components proper lubrication can extend the operating life and efficiency beyond using no lubricant at all.

Incompatible plastic lubricant combinations often cause operating problems such as stress cracking or failure of the plastic component. It works especially well on porous items such as plastic parts but is a good lubricant on locks hinges and guns.