melting plastic SOT

[Dorothy A. Bell]

Dear Mark and all,

Sorry for the delay in response to your questions about Teflon-type lubricants..
Part of the delay was spent going to the NEECSO and learning more about the
subject
Here are my thoughts as a chemist, and I defer to wiser piano techs on some of
the questions of use of these materials in pianos.

This is how I understand these lubricants (Teflon powder, Protek CLP, McLube)
generally:

Teflon itself is a fluorinated hydrocarbon. What this means is that it is a
chain of carbon atoms surrounded by very tough, non-reactive fluorine atoms
(think: string of people holding hands, each person completely covered with a
shiny rain slicker). The fluorine atoms don't want to combine with anything else




Mark Cramer wrote:

> While I have your ear (so to speak), I wonder if you've contemplated the
> mysteries of the many chemicals we use to deal with fricton?
>
> 1.) I've been told that Protek CLP is a (high-tech) polymer, and I remember
> someone drawing link diagrams in vain attempts to register a definition of
> "polymer" I would understand. Specifically, I would like to know if/why the
> properties of CLP are considered so safe/neutral in application to cloth
> parts?
>

>
> 2.) Can you describe (conjecture/verify) the nature/properties of cloth once
> treated with CLP?
>
> 3.) Why should we not consider this an "oily" (as in felt-contaminating,
> dirt-attracting) product?
>
> 3.) How would the properties of Mc Lube 444LS (teflon-type liquid) compare
> to Protek?
>
> 4.) We have many metal/felt contacts within the action, i.e.: capstan to
> heel-cloth, key-pin to bushing cloth, spoon to damper-lever cloth, etc.
> Although products such as CLP and McLube are recommended for treating both
> cloth and metal, is it wise to treat "interacting" parts, such as both the
> bushing cloth and the key-pin?
>
> 5.) What about treating the metal part with CLP/McLube and the cloth part
> with Teflon powder?
>
>
> Mark Cramer,
> Brandon University
>   Dorrie Bell   Ph.D., Physical-Organic Chemistry, Brandeis University
>   Associate Member, PTG