Metal rod, about 3mm diameter, rotating slowly inside metal tube about 25mm long and I want to reduce friction. What would be best for this purpose?
Oil?
Very fine sandpaper?
Metal Polish?
T-Cut?
hi,
Perhaps a Silicone.?
E
Update. Graphite Dry Lube
Graphene being two-dimensional material, offers unique friction and wear properties that is not typically seen in conventional materials. Besides its well-established thermal, electrical, optical, and mechanical properties, graphene can serve as a solid or colloidal liquid lubricant.
Aluminum can be difficult to deal with in close fits, particularly with itself.
Another lubricant that has not been mentioned is boron nitride (BN) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boron_nitride ). The hexagnal form is generally used. It had advantages over graphite. Molybdenum disulfide is another, but I would want to find whether it is compatible with those metals. It is fairly reactive, beside being a mess to work with, and with water can be corrosive on steel.
If it's not aluminum, I would not be too concerned. I have no experience lubricating decorative chrome. A thin oil, silicone or mineral, would be my first choice. AFT fluid might be an option. It might wet chrome better.
What sort of speed you rotating at ?
how long do you need this to run without "servicing"
what sort of power you transferring / what sort of pressure the bearing under.
i.e. if its a box cart, then I'd suggest something used on a bike, such as teflon lub as mentioned above.
If its a high speed bearing, then the lub will over heat,
you might need a liquid bearing,
for real high speed an air / gas bearing.
If its in a high temprature , then may be graphite,
if its in a oxygen pump, then dont use grease.
The rod to tube diameter/clearance has not been specified, much depends on this.
If using a liquid lube, I second the ATF for lasting over time without drying and also if heat is an issue, no problem.
Max.