Graphite powder may corrode aluminium?

[WeeDee]

I read today that tests have shown that graphite powder corrodes aluminium in the presence of moisture. With this considered, the US Air Force no longer uses graphite as an lubricant on its aircraft - either in dry powder form or mixed with water or oil.

It's something to do with graphite having a positive potential and aluminium having a negative one.

Has anyone been aware of this (it's news to me), or can anyone expand on this information?

I've never had experience of this kind of aluminium 'corrosion', or heard of anyone else who has.

I leave it open to this forum.

 

Dee

[john dawson]

neva heard of it, although it was only a matter of time! i just give my krabs a squirt of gt85 every now and then

[bob]

believe there is a difference between making your own and bought in a tub

bought in a tub is ok

[treequip]

I've never had experience of this kind of aluminium 'corrosion', or heard of anyone else who has.

 

Just have a look at the side of the next landrover defender you pass. They have a luverly habbit of "reacting" where the galv capping meets the Ally:thumbdown:.

 

Andy

[WeeDee]

Just have a look at the side of the next landrover defender you pass. They have a luverly habbit of "reacting" where the galv capping meets the Ally:thumbdown:.

 

Andy

 

I've had aluminium react with other things (roadsalt etc.) but I thought graphite powder was 'safe'.

[armchairarborist]

the lockshop near me told me graphite powder stops padlocks freezing up in winter, wish he'd told me two weeks ago, back to work weds and i'll be pouring hot water on each one, then when they dry they'll be getting powdered good..

[kipperfeet]

I would have thought that the amount of movement in a carabiner, and the constant abuse they get, the graphite is gone within a few hours anyway.

In my experience of inspecting them, most krabs usually free up after a good clean and wd40 and then when dry, put a small amount of graphite down to keep the action smooth.

 

Within an hour of climbing in the rain, it will be gone and the barrel clean enought to work normally again.