Selective securing of coiled thread inserts, bearings etc. improved with Trib-Tool dry chemical treatment.

Application Note 13.

Trib-Technology uses  a friction enhancing agent applied in trace amounts with a Trib-Tool that has the ability to improve frictional retention between metal parts. In situations where parts may need to be disassembled a doubling of the dry friction level is often more than adequate. This is conveniently achieved by rubbing one of the parts with a TRIB-TOOL™. For instance in the case of a spiral thread-insert, if the friction between the tapped hole in Fig.1 and an insert is raised significantly above that between the insert and bolt, there will be little risk of the insert unscrewing with the bolt. Likewise as the friction between the outside of the bearing races in Fig.2 is increased it improves the bearing retention. The essential requirement of  these applications is that the friction enhancing material stays where it is put and that it does not migrate and interfere with any low friction operating surfaces nearby.

Selective surface treatment and control of friction is possible with our patented Trib-Tools. This carries a series of mildly abrasive pads that slowly releases the friction inducing chemical in trace amounts as the surface is gently rubbed. Therefore a Trib-Tool simultaneously cleans and treats the surface.   The chemical is attracted to the cleaned surface by polar attraction where it is retained. As the oxide layer recovers the chemical becomes incorporated (absorbed) into the new surfaces, thus there is no risk of the friction inducing chemical migrating into unwanted areas. To activate the chemical the retaining oxide must be slightly disrupted which happens when lightly interfering parts are pushed together.

The actual level of friction depends on the contact pressure. At light contacts as with a slip fit no difference is seen due to Trib-Grip. A light press fit shows only a moderate increase (up to double). Whereas a regular press fit (ISO H7/p6) shows an increase of three or more times that of clean dry surfaces. Providing the surfaces are hard there will be no perceptible cold welding and the parts can be disassembled if a high enough force is applied. If only one surface is hard - as is the case with a bearing mounted in a nodular iron casting, this can also be disassemble without damage. If it is a soft steel or aluminium mount there may be a small amount of material transferred onto the bearing but it will disassemble. If both parts are soft there may be considerable material transfer and it might be quite difficult to disassemble without damage to the bearing or housing.

Unfortunately the process does not work for joints containing copper and its alloys like brass or bronze; or zinc; or flake cast iron, but it works for virtually all other common metals and their alloys, including dissimilar combinations. 

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for more information email: info8@tribtech.com

The TribTech name derives from "tribos" - Greek for 'rubbing'. 'TribTech' is a trade name used by Ball Burnishing Machine Tools Ltd. of 12 Brookmans Av. Hatfield, Herts. AL9 7QJ. United Kingdom;  Company Reg. No. 1408807, VAT Reg. No. 421 6210 04; a knowledge based company that develops, patents and licenses technology. All rights reserved by Ball Burnishing Machine Tools Ltd. Last modified: May 01, 2008 copyright © 1999/2008. The information and data provided herein should be considered generally representative for the tools and technologies described. In all cases users should carefully evaluate the tools and technologies to determine their suitability for a particular purpose.