Teflon Grease vs Anti seize compound

James T
James T Posts: 104
edited September 2010 in Workshop
Basic question I know, but is there any real difference between the two - and more importantly does grease work just as well for use in threads, seat tubes, steer tubes etc.?

Comments

  • There's a world of difference between lubrication greast (such as those used in bearings) and anti-seize compound.
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  • jairaj
    jairaj Posts: 3,009
    there is a subtle difference.

    grease reduces the friction between two surfaces and allows them to pass over each other with less effort.

    anti-seize stops two surfaces bonding together.
  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    You can use grease quite effectively as an anti-seize compound. It's not as good in high temperature applications, but there aren't any of those on a bike.

    However, NEVER use anti-seize compound as a lubricant.
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  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    jairaj wrote:
    there is a subtle difference.

    grease reduces the friction between two surfaces and allows them to pass over each other with less effort.

    anti-seize stops two surfaces bonding together.

    +1 for "subtle". :lol::lol::lol:
  • satanas
    satanas Posts: 1,303
    Don't try to get away with using grease as anti-seize where either Ti or carbon is involved; it's fine for steel or alu though.
  • rake
    rake Posts: 3,204
    satanas wrote:
    Don't try to get away with using grease as anti-seize where either Ti or carbon is involved; it's fine for steel or alu though.
    why not ti?
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    rake wrote:
    satanas wrote:
    Don't try to get away with using grease as anti-seize where either Ti or carbon is involved; it's fine for steel or alu though.
    why not ti?

    +1....why not? grease and Ti? what's the problem?
  • DaSy
    DaSy Posts: 599
    If you are putting Ti and a dissimilar metal such as Aluminium in contact, it is prone to galvanic corrosion, so an anti-seize compound is a good idea.
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  • Smokin Joe
    Smokin Joe Posts: 2,706
    DaSy wrote:
    If you are putting Ti and a dissimilar metal such as Aluminium in contact, it is prone to galvanic corrosion, so an anti-seize compound is a good idea.
    Put any two different metals together and you produce a corrosion battery. Grease will do the same job as anti-seize compound, it will act as a barrier betwen the metals and prevent seizure.
  • edjo
    edjo Posts: 50
    Grease is, always, a type of oil in a chemical or physical carrier that can be likened to acting like a sponge. Over time, the oil bleeds from the sponge and therefore lubricates the parts it seperates. It can contain solid lubricant particles dispersed in it, but doesn't always.
    Anti-seize pastes is like grease, but contains much less oil, always has solid lubricating particles and has a much lower bleed rate and so isn't as good a lubricant.
    So, if you tighten parts, use an anti-seize paste - eg nuts & bolts - if you want to remove them more easily when it comes to undoing them. Use grease if the part needs to be moved regularly and the fit isn't as tight - eg seat posts.
    BOTH grease and anti-seize pastes can / do dry out over time. However, the anti-seize is designed to work when it dries which is why it contains solid lubricants. Greases generally cease to work when they dry out - there are of course, exceptions to this, but it's unlikely you'll use them on your bike.
    There are specific examples where this differs, especially with carbon seatposts, but in general the above rule applies. Threaded part is subject to vibration, then using a light locking compound can be the ideal. Plenty exist that don't fully set dry and are vibration resistant - I tend to find this the best as it allows parts to be more easily removed than one that fully sets, but stops the part coming loose itself.