ABSTRACT
Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) oils, greases, and waxes are halogen-saturated lubricants that are chemically inert and nonflammable; they have high-thermal stability, good lubricity, high dielectric strength, high density, and low compressibility. The most outstanding property of PCTFE lubricants is chemical inertness. PCTFE lubricants wet metallic surfaces readily and form lubricating films similar to the more common perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricants. The PCTFE light oils are soluble in most organic liquids, including aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbon and chlorinated solvents, alcohols, ketones, and esters. As the viscosity, or average molecular weight, of the PCTFE oil increases, so does the density, pour point, and cloud point. The PCTFEs are chosen for many applications on the basis of comparative performance characteristics and cost-effectiveness. The PCTFE chemistry is generally more cost-effective than the other hydrogen-free chemistry available, PFPE, and the additional stability of the more expensive perfluorinated backbone is generally not required.
