Anti-seize

[theoldwizard1]

Why do some anti-seize compounds contain copper, nickel or silver ?

 

[brianpgriset]

Why do some anti-seize compounds contain copper, nickel or silver ?

Prevents corrosion?

 

[thightower]

Not sure why. But I would stay away from the copper. Doesn't work as good and can cause problems. On Gas compressors some use it on the top cover gasket. the copper shows up in the oil samples causeing premature wear. Also on the valve caps and bolts it can wear into the cylinders. So we only use the silver, or nickel.

 

[bigenos]

Copper anti seize I think is for high heat applications. Probably would be best for something like spark plugs or brakes. Not sure about nickel or silver, but could be similar.

 

[38Chevy454]

Agree, it has to do with the intended heat range. Although it gives an anti-corrosion benefit, the different color is because of heat. Copper is for high heat. Never heard of nickel or silver, the lower temp use aluminum or zinc I believe. They are silver in color.

 

[thammel]

The thermal conductivity of copper is slightly more than twice that of aluminum, therefore copper filled is better for conducting heat than aluminum filled.

Tom

 

[brianpgriset]

Strange as I would think nickel would be far more temp stable as it has a higher melting point and is less likely to oxidize. It's also used in many high temp alloys...

 

[jcouch1]

just dont put copper never seize on SS... welds itself together over time

 

[Sureshot]

Not sure why. But I would stay away from the copper. Doesn't work as good and can cause problems. On Gas compressors some use it on the top cover gasket. the copper shows up in the oil samples causeing premature wear. Also on the valve caps and bolts it can wear into the cylinders. So we only use the silver, or nickel.

Is it actually wear or is it interpretted as wear because of an elevated copper content?

 

[larry_g]

http://www.antiseize.com/catalog-data.html#Anti

There are quite a few different products avaiable from Anti-Seize developed for not only heat range but materials, food service, contamination of process and others. Competitors of Anti-Seize also have products developed for specific applications. http://www.neverseezproducts.com/antiseize.htm


Asking about Anti-Seize is about like asking about Loctite, many products for specific applications. I spent years in electronics manufacturing and you have to know all your chemicals used in maintenance and how they will affect the process.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[theoldwizard1]

Larry - First, I did not know there was a company called Anti-Seize Technology !

According to what little I have read on their data sheets

• Copper - High heat (up to 1800F) threaded connectors
• Nickle - Extreme heat (up to 2600F) will nt poison catalyst beds, rwaction chambers or special alloy fittings

 

[GRX]

Anti-seize compounds ... Think you have already answered your own question.

Copper, Nickle, Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Molybdenum, metal-free ... they all have their specific purpose. Temperature, pressure, resistance to certain chemicals, galvanic corrosion ... you get the picture.

 

[volaredon]

I have used copper based and nickel based both for years and both work equally well; a lil goes a LONG way and the copper based seems to smear and make less of a "side mess"

 

[theoldwizard1]

... they all have their specific purpose.

So what would you recommend for spark plugs (steel) in an aluminum head ?

 

[skyking]

All mine are so old that the labels are gone and the brushes are bent all to heck. I use it on everything and it just keeps on going.

 

[kd4gij]

So what would you recommend for spark plugs (steel) in an aluminum head ?

You should not use anti-seize on sparkplug threads. It will insulate the plug and lower the spark temp.

 

[Warrenator]

Champion makes a carbon-based spark plug anti-sieze specifically for spark plugs. We use it for aircooled aircraft engines all the time. That is a very high temp environment, though, and the plugs might get removed every 25 to 200 hours for cleaning and inspection, not sit in there 100,000 miles like cars.. I think the problem is not that it will insulate the plug, but rather that if you get any at all on the ceramic insulator, it provides a conductive path for the spark and the plug stops working. Some engines (looking at you, Ford v-8) have a real problem with spark plugs siezing in the aluminum head. I would use what the manual said to use very specifically down to the exact brand and type.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Some engines (looking at you, Ford v-8) have a real problem with spark plugs siezing in the aluminum head. I would use what the manual said to use very specifically down to the exact brand and type.

I just did some research on that !

Modular engines with 3 valves initially used a very extended tip plug that had a 2 piece bottom. The extended part could seize in the head. I think all replacement plugs now use a one piece lower but in TSB 08-7-6, Ford specifically recommend nickle anti-seize.

 

[kd4gij]

I just did some research on that !

Modular engines with 3 valves initially used a very extended tip plug that had a 2 piece bottom. The extended part could seize in the head. I think all replacement plugs now use a one piece lower but in TSB 08-7-6, Ford specifically recommend nickle anti-seize.

I have an 06 mustang and yes ford does recamend nickel anti-seize but that state DO NOT GET ENY ON THE THREADS OR ELECTROD. A verry thin coat on the long base.

 

[GRX]

True. Cannot remember how many heads I repaired with seized spark plugs - drill, cut with saw blade, chip out with chisel, hope not to damage aluminum threads, install repair insert or helicoil if needed etc ...

Far as anti-seize on spark plugs go, many may want to read this: (acrobat reader required)

http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/pdf/tb-0630111antisieze.pdf