Henkel offers expert anti-seize advice

Sometimes repair and maintenance workers neglect anti-seize lubricant to avoid an extra step in the MRO process. However, that one small step can save huge amounts of time and money down the line. The use of anti-seize lubricants can help avoid problems with equipment that lead to more downtime, repairs and replacement costs. 

An MRO application engineer at Henkel, Adam Lyman, authored a recent blog post on the subject. The Henkel Adhesive Technologies Blog is available on the company website. In the post, Lyman provides examples of five MRO situations where anti-seize lubricant can help.

1. Equipment assembly and disassembly

Outdoor applications can pose big challenges for assembly and disassembly, because equipment is exposed to harsh elements and is more likely to corrode. Lyman gives the example of a bolt to explain.

“Anti-seize will fill in the gaps between the threads and protect that bolt from moisture and other harmful conditions, while adding lubricity that makes it easier to remove and replace as needed.”

2. Protection of mated metal parts

When assembling equipment like a pump’s bell housing, lubrication is needed to avoid galling. Loctite anti-seize solutions prevent the type of wrenching in close-fitting parts that puts them out of tolerance. In addition, the lubricants provide protection from corrosion.

3. Extending life of expensive fittings

Anti-seize lubricants are ideal for protecting fittings such as studs that have been welded or cast into a larger equipment part. If these fittings seize, the required repairs are time consuming and expensive. The only options are to drill out and repack the hole for a new bolt, or replace the entire assembly.

4. Reducing downtime due to seizure

Besides expensive equipment, any type of fitting seizure can cause big problems. Lyman uses the example of electrical casings in aggressive chemical environments such as mines. In this example, the casings’ bolts are at high risk of corrosion. Should they seize, the bolt heads will need to be torched off. But torching requires a fire permit, meaning any flammable gas must be removed and lines shut down. 

5. Reducing part breakage

Once a bolt is rusted, the integrity is reduced and it can become fused to other parts. At that point, attempting to torque the bolt risks breaking it, and penetrating oil is not always enough to break off the rust. The only way to avoid the headache altogether is with proper use of anti-seize lubricants. 

For information on anti-seize lubricants, visit the Henkel website or check out the company’s online catalogue.

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