Low Friction Paints

Look at a Molybdemion... I know I didn't spell that right, we just called it Moly B.... it was a coating that we applied by paint brush and it worked very well.

The vapors are very hazardous, we had a different person apply the material everyday, if anyone applied it two days in a row, they were out sick on the third day. It seems it took more then 24 hours to flush out of the system and two days straight was tuff on the people.

Don't know what you are putting through that hopper; but if its consumables, you don't want to use graphite or Molly.

Ships paints are formulated to be low-friction to assist the vessels in both barnacle prevention and fuel efficiency. Some of them are toxic, however. You will have to investigate them and discover which are non-toxic.

There are also some pretty tough teflon coatings.

Mark

We manufacture paints with Teflon additive in. This provides a good abrasion resistance AND nicer flow of product in hoppers. Use extensively in the mining industry, the pulp and paper and wastewater plants, these paints are in use for the past 20 years.

If you want more information send me an email, I will be please to help you out on this.E-Mail: mdumaine@stoncor.com

You may need a polyurethane coating wich is more fexible and easier to repair than epoxies... We use polyurethane in street sweeper hopper instead of glued rubber...I can also provide names for applicators going to your shop doing sandblast and coatings.

Hope this can help

I've used a similar product, "Graphite Plus" which comes in an aerosol spray can and is made a company names Asbury Carbons. It's like a spray paint. My application was electromechanical and I needed something that was a good conductor. However, it is also meant for sliding mechanisms like the one you mention, elevator guides. It sprays on easily, and it has taken some abuse without failing. You could buy a single can and test it with your material, if you have some left. Make sure it adheres etc.

As others stated, it's probably not a good idea to use it if it will come in contact with food. Request a material safety data sheet. A teflon coating would probably be better.

I do not understand why you are considering a hydrophobic silicon when it is a dry application, unless that is the material that you are trying to further lubricate. If your application is more extreme, you may want to consider sacrificial metal sheets/plates to bear the abrasion. Good luck with your prototype.

Rather than a 'paint" maybe consider fiberglass, which would wear longer, also,

Better...i would also consider laying in specialised blend of nylon or similar plastic membrane up to .062 " [1/16"] thick... lasts very long time, nylon is rather benign if some micro residue gets in to product [inevitable if any friction involved] it is self lubricating and very inert, tolerates medium temps.

J Bo