Fluoropolymer Technology
DSX PROPERTIES & APPLICATION
April, 1999 by Robert A Moorhouse, PE
Embedded Fluoropolymer Particle Lubricants and Preservatives
In order to understand how to properly use and apply the various DSX products, one must first have a basic understanding of fluoropolymer technology. For centuries, mankind has used “lubricants” and “sealants” to overcome friction and to protect mating surfaces in motion or to protect an exposed surface from foreign contaminants. Essentially this involves the interpositioning of a slippery substance between mating surfaces, or the coating of an exposed surface with a protective film of some sort. In either case, the most commonly used coatings in recent years have been oils, greases, or waxes, the likely effectiveness of which would be judged by its obvious presence as a sticky, slippery, or shiny coating of some sort.
This is not how DSX reduces friction and protects. Exactly the opposite applies.
DSX works by the embedment of fluoropolymer particles, of extremely small size, into the microscopic pores or asperities of the surface being treated. These particles fill the surface voids or “low areas” to create a smooth or slick surface. The combination of the original surface and the fluoropolymer “filler” now becomes the bearing or protective surface. The particles fit in, not on, the surface. These “filler” particles are made from a premium grade fluoropolymer powder whose particle size is in the neighborhood of 0.02 micron. Put another way, you could put five billion such particles on a common pinhead. Properly applied DSX is invisible.
DSX has five major benefits: (1) it is superior in reducing friction – far better than other known “lubricants” thus causing significant reductions of surface wear and allowing major decreases in operating temperatures, (2) it impedes the adherence of foreign bodies to the treated surface, (3) by being hydrophobic, it repels water from the treated surface, (4) since it is embedded in the treated surface and not on the surface, its useful life goes far beyond any other known “same purpose” treatment, and (5) since it is embedded in the treated surface, and not applied on the surface, it does not add a physical size dimension (or size build-up) to that surface. This is very important where tight tolerances are a consideration.
PROPERTIES & APPLICATION
The fluoropolymer particles are retained as part of the parent surface by natural molecular interaction and electrostatic attraction. Typically, subsequent applications require much less of this product and the application takes less time. The fluoropolymer particles combine to make a very fine, dry powder. To enable the particles to reach the surface being treated, a liquid carrier is used. The choice of carrier depends largely on the nature of the object being treated. Hence, the many different DSX products. Once properly embedded by physically buffing or rubbing, or by bathing (dipping, ultrasonic, or otherwise) the excess carrier can, and preferably should be removed or wiped off. You cannot wipe away the embedded particles. In fact, the action of wiping, buffing, or rubbing actually serves to embed the DSX particles more thoroughly.
If you over-apply or over-use DSX you are simply wasting your investment!
DSX products are absolutely harmless to the environment. They do not contain petroleum, chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) or any other material known to be unsafe to the environment, or harmful to man, animals, earth, water, atmosphere, ozone layer, etc. DSX products have a myriad of uses. These products work alone or as a proportional additive to enhance existing products such as waxes, greases and motor oils. DSX is truly a unique product.