Anti-seize is a lubricant product that can help mechanics prolong the life of mechanical parts and facilitate disassembly.
What is Anti-Seize?
There are many types of anti-seize available; each one is formulated for specific environments or metals. They help prevent seizure and corrosion of automotive fasteners and other parts in places where simple lubricants don’t hold up. For example, under high pressure, prolonged exposure to saltwater or humidity, or in extreme temperatures.
These special lubricants are made of a carrier grease and fillers. The combination of these two is what helps them work under harsh conditions.
Why Use Anti-Seize and Where Can It Be Applied?
Anti-seizes can be used on studs, bolts, nuts, washers, flanges and anywhere two metal parts meet. Motors and moving parts generate a lot of heat, and they are often exposed to wear and tear, weather, or may even be exposed to chemical attack. Fasteners like screws and bolts can seize, come loose, or let water or other substances into delicate machine parts.
Anti-seizes can aid in protecting machinery and fasteners, making connections precise and tight. They can prevent galling and friction, and make it easier to make repairs or replace parts down the road.
What Industries Use Anti-Seize?
Many different industries use anti-seizes to make work easier and to protect their machinery and parts, including:
- Automotive and transportation
- Marine industry
- Petro and chemical industry
- Food processing and production
- Agriculture
- Refineries
- Construction
- Fire protection
- Production
Anywhere there are moving parts, engines, or fasteners, anti-seize can be useful or even essential.
What Kinds of Anti-Seize Are Available?
There are anti-seizes on the market for a huge variety of parts and applications. Some of the most common are:
- Copper and graphite based
- Aluminum, copper and graphite based
- Nickel and graphite based
- Moly grease based
- Ceramic based
- Metal Free
- Aluminum based
- Copper plate
- Food grade
Each lubricant is graded based on how much heat or cold it can handle.
Combinations of metals are often used for fine threading and other all-purpose applications or in the automotive industry. Some, like copper, are conductive, while others, like nickel-based anti-seizes, are used to prevent chemical corrosion and oxidation under high temperatures.
Food safe anti-seize includes all non-toxic materials and ceramic based combinations are often used in marine applications. Metal free anti-seizes are used in special circumstances, like offshore drilling, where metal parts are constantly exposed to the elements.
How Is Anti-Seize Used?
While every situation and application of anti-seizes is different and you should always follow manufacturer instructions, there are a few general tips that you should know.
First, ensure that all parts of the assembly are clean. Any dirt, grease or oils can interfere with the effectiveness of the anti-seize.
Second, remember not to over-apply the product. Usually a thin layer precisely applied is enough. You want to cover the surfaces to be joined, but by using too much you risk contamination and making a mess when tightening the parts. When using sprays, spray from six inches away.
Third, have a different brush for each type of anti-seize you use. Even if you wash the brush out, cross-contamination may still occur and affect performance.
Where Can You Buy the Best Anti-Seize Products?
For quality anti-seize and other automotive fastener parts, check out the offerings at Rogo Fastener.
