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Anonymous Poster #1

Electrical Conduction of Grease at Low Temperatures

06/05/2012 2:35 AM

I am using contact grease for slide in type contacts... this grease shows good conductivity at normal room temp. around 25deg...however at temperatures of around -30 the grease solidifies and after doing the contact resistance test..i find the values of contact resistance has increased...

why does this happen? is solidificaton of grease leading to this...the grease is lithium base...
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Mikerho
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#1

Re: Electrical condution of grease at low temperatures

06/05/2012 7:01 AM

What are the temp units (ºC, ºF)?

With the conditions you describe, the behavior is not surprising to me.

why does this happen?

Since the conductivity of the grease is based partially on the concentration of the electrically conductive component (ECC), I believe that the low temperatures are messing with the "solubility" of the ECC, thereby interfering with conductivity.

Have you contacted the contact grease supplier to see if they have a product more suited to your temperature range?

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SolarEagle
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#2

Re: Electrical Conduction of Grease at Low Temperatures

06/05/2012 10:03 AM

The grease you are using, just like other components, has to be suitable for the application...

http://www.2spi.com/catalog/vac/silver-filled-grease-techdata.html

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lyn
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#3

Re: Electrical Conduction of Grease at Low Temperatures

06/05/2012 10:37 AM

Use silicone grease.
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