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Radiation exposure of lubricants can occur in many different applications, such as medical and food sterilization processes, x-ray imaging, nuclear power generation equipment, and high altitude aircraft and satellites found in the aerospace industry. Depending on the application, radiation can be present in different forms including alpha, beta, gamma, x-ray, and neutron radiation.
Radiation “overdose” exposure of a lubricant can result in thickening and polymerization of the base oil, darkening of color, oxidation and degradation of the thickening system or additives.
All organic matter is subject to radiolysis (molecular scission induced by ionizing radiation). However, lubricants made from molecules containing aromatic ring structures exhibit greater stability towards radiation-induced decomposition than lubricants based on straight chain hydrocarbons.
Nye’s product line of radiation-resistant products containing aromatic ring structures, as well as other highly engineered, specialty materials, provide OEM’s with lubrication solutions for their radiation exposure applications. Nye carries a full line of non-hydrogenous perfluoropolyether lubricants and oils. The fluorine-carbon bond is one of the strongest bonds known in organic molecules, therefore they are more resistant to degradation from radiation.
In addition to products listed below for consideration, Nye can work directly with you to formulate new synthetic lubricants for your radiation exposure lubricating applications. Please call us directly or complete the Consultative design from
| Product | Chemistry | Temperature Range (°C) |
Characteristics | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SYNRAD 1252 | Sodium soap thickened, alkylated aromatic hydrocarbon grease | -30 to 175 | Rust inhibited, NLGI Grade 2 | Bearing and gearing applications where radiation exposure is possible |
| NYOGEL 775D | Silica thickened, phenylmethyl silicone grease | -54 to 200 | Heavy viscosity | Mechanical instruments requiring minimal viscosity change over a wide temperature range |
|
NYOGEL 718B |
Silica thickened, polyphenyl ether grease | 4 to 260 | Very stiff, medium viscosity | Instrument and slow speed bearings exposed to very high temperatures or radiation |
|
UNIFLOR 4622R
|
PTFE thickened, completely fluorinated grease, non-hydrogenous material | -20 to 260 | Heavy viscosity | Severe service bearings and mechanical devices where good film strength is needed at high temperatures and/or fuel or chemical resistance is required |