NineSigma, on behalf of, an international electrical device manufacturer, is seeking alternatives to PFAS containing lubricants to reduce friction and adhesion coefficient in plastic-steel contact to be used in Electrical Protection Devices.
Forever chemicals are found in our everyday objects and a large part of them eventually become pollutants. Image credit: Brian Yurasits via Unsplash, free license
NineSigma´s client is open for any PFAS free plastic or metallic surface lubricating or coating approaches that could be scaled up in short-term.
Electrical Protection Device mechanism comprises of different types of plastic and steel parts. These plastic and steel components are in contact for very long period of time. In case of tripping, the parts have to move to release the contacts to open the electric circuit .
In order to guarantee the opening of the electric circuit, the parts in contact need to be lubricated. One process is to immerse the plastic and metallic parts in a bath of fluorinated grease water mixture, then evaporate water to become a sliding varnish.
This application provides a long service life to the devices up to 25 years. A second process is to put a classical grease with a syringe on the contact points, this type of grease does not dry completely and keeps a certain viscosity.
Submissions to this Challenge must be received by Jan 19, 2024.
Source: NineSights