Many Years ago, Radio Shack used to be on my model rocket supplier list, as the vender for Super Lube® grease. It came in a little gray tube, and fit nicely in a field box. Those of us who are avid fliers, used this synthetic grease to lube o-rings and liners for our motors during the reload process. “A little goes a long way” are the words we used to describe the product to ‘newbies’. At sometime between the last time I purchased a tube, and the time that I needed more, Radio Shack stopped carrying the Synthetic grease.
When I started to migrate towards Amateur rocket activities, I was informed that Super Lube® was not used to lube motors, but Dow Corning® 111 was. Good stuff this Dow Corning® 111, and a pricey to. I purchased a couple tubes, larger tubes than the Super Lube®, and they worked great for my 38mm line of motors. But when I used them on 54 and 76mm motors I found that Dow Corning® 111 does not go very far. What I like about Dow Corning® 111, is that your motors and o-rings were protected very well from the virtual hell that goes on for those few seconds during motor burn. In most cases, motor clean-up was a breeze. What I do not like about Dow Corning® 111, is that it is thick! If you have ever tried to grease a long liner while wearing Nitrile gloves, you will know what I mean. Those gloves will catch on that thick grease and roll right up into tight wads in your palms and fingers! The thinner you tried to spread the grease, and more area you have to cover, the tighter those gloves get rolled up. Then I would go through a whole roll of paper towels trying to clean up the grease, which gets everywhere. Yes, Dow Corning® 111 is good stuff, but there is an art form to applying it properly
I ran out of the Dow Corning® 111 in June 2008, using it on a Loki Research M1882, getting ready for my 1st attempt at Tripoli Level III certification at Southern Thunder 2008. While getting ready for my second attempt the following day, I happened across one of the tables at Performance Hobbies, one of the many fine venders attending Southern Thunder. And there it was, a found source for Super Lube®, in a 400 gram can. I did not realize it until I was assembling another M1882, that I had found an old friend…and yes, “a little goes a long way”.
Super Lube® Multi-Purpose grease is not as viscous as Dow Corning® 111, but protects just as good (in my opinion). Work time is less, as less effort is required to cover the same area for protection due to the addition of powdered silicon (PTFE) suspended within the grease. O-rings get just enough grease to make them shiny, and liners are covered externally 100%, filling tube grooves in one or two easy passes (38mm).
Super Lube® Multi-Purpose grease is listed as a wheel bearing grease and chassis lubrication product due in part to it’s extended work time 50 – 100% longer than similar products. But it is interesting to note, that a comparison of working temperature ranges of both Super Lube® and Dow Corning® 111 list their ranges as -45ºF to +450ºF and -70ºF to +400ºF respectfully. This comparison, as well as comparing MSDS datasheets will show that these products are very similar in nature; non-toxic with no know potential hazards, except for maybe as an eye irritant. Moreover, when used as we amateur rocketeers intended to use the product, choice will boil down to a personal preference. I have used both products now, and I find that I like the workable/user-friendly nature of Super Lube®.
Super Lube® MSDS
Dow Corning® 111 MSDS
I still tend to wallow in the grease when I work with it, and therefore I believe I should take the money saved in purchasing Super Lube® and invest it in paper towels.
See you on the field,
Johnnie