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Chain O-ring WD-40 exposure effects study and results
Enclosed is a study to examine the effects of Chain link O-ring exposure to various solvent, cleaners, and lubrications. Many “home grown” solutions exist as to the best method to clean and lube an O-ring type chain. Most popular is the usage of WD-40. The intent of this study is to determine if WD-40 and other commonly used chemicals are detrimental to the chains o-ring and it’s function. The study will consist of 4 parts:
1. Test set-up and controls 2. Short term continuous exposure results. Short term will be defined as 24 hours 3. Long term continuous exposure results. Long term evaluations will occur at regular intervals (monthly?) till a conclusion can be reached. 4. Study conclusion. Part 1 http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9241.jpg Start all projects by reviewing relevant data related to the mod/topic http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9216.jpg The source of the O-rings. DID master link from a 520 type chain. http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9217.jpg extract the 8x O-rings for the study http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9232.jpg set up an exam area. Did consider weighing the O-rings, but sold my gram scale when completed college......Hehehe Good times! http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9234.jpg Evaluate, measure and record the dimensions. This case inner diameter with an adjustable ball gage. Dimensions are use to check for O-ring swelling. http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9235.jpg check dia of ball gage. Inner dia = .227 inch http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9236.jpg outer diameter =.356 inch http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9237.jpg thickness = .073 inch http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9238.jpg record dimensions http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9239.jpg macro view of O-ring http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9240.jpg O-ring side view http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9225.jpg The 7x Fluids to evaluate http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9226.jpg The container list: 1. WD-40, 2. Kerosine, 3. Gasoline, 4. LPS-3, 5. DOT 4 brake fluid, 6. PJ1 Chain lube, 7. Gumout carb cleaner http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9227.jpg adding the fluids to the cavities http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9228.jpg ready for O-ring insertion http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9229.jpg Mark date and install O-rings http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9230.jpg wrap-up container and store in garage. Part 2 After 24 hours the O-rings were removed and examined visually for signs of distress. Quick comparison of all O-rings with the control O-ring some signs of swelling. Each O-ring was squeezed and released to evaluate the elasticity and for signs of brittleness. http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9242.jpg O-rings after 24 hours http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9250.jpg removing the WD-40 exposed O-ring http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9251.jpg WD-40 exposed O-ring ready to dry and evaluate http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9254.jpg WD-40 exposed O-ring optical enhanced examination. Looks A-ok http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9252.jpg measure thickness of WD-40 exposed O-ring http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9253.jpg measure outer diameter of WD-40 exposed O-ring http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9249.jpg WD-40 on left air exposed control on right http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9255.jpg detail results of review on form http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9248.jpg Repeat steps for Kerosene (Kerosene on left, air on right) http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9257.jpg Repeat steps for Gasoline (Gasoline on left, air on right) http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9258.jpg squeeze test for elasticity evaluation http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9259.jpg Repeat steps for LPS-3 (LPS-3 on left, air on right) http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9261.jpg Repeat steps for Brake Fluid (Brake fluid on left, air on right) http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9262.jpg Repeat steps for PJ1chain lube (PJ1on left, air on right) http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9263.jpg last sample....Grandama is still looking for her pill box....hehehe http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...g/IMGP9264.jpg Repeat steps for carb cleaner (carb cleaner on left, air on right) http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...oringexcel.jpg Table of results Conclusion of short term exposure: 1. Carb cleaner and Gasoline samples swelled to significant sizes. Definitely not recommended to use these fluids to clean an O-ring type chain. The carb cleaner exposed O-ring increased in diameter by 29%! The gasoline exposed O-ring increased in diameter by 11%. 2. WD-40, and Kerosene seem to have negligible to no effect on the O-rings (+/-1%) 3. Brake fluid, and PJ1 chain lube seem to have a negligible to small effect on the O-ring’s size. http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...p/IMGP8980.jpg Ready to ride Keithm |
Interesting. I think I'll stick with kerosene for chain-cleaning. :thumb
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What's next? Going to determine once and for all which oil is best, putting an end to all those threads? :lol3
Nice work! |
Ahhh,,,,Science!
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Nice..
I'm surprised brake fluid didn't destroy the o-rings.. |
You could actually test elasticity and/or tensile strength with some wire and weights. Might be intersting.
I love your digital mic! |
Oh yea! Well, well, well.......WD-40 doesn't work, plus if you smell it or touch it your manhood will come off in your hand next time you whiz.
But, nice report and good work. |
Very cool - thanks!
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O-Ring Material?
Rubber or silicon o-ring or ??? material? All o-rings are not created alike..maybe I missed it in your test...
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Quote:
The O-rings were from manufacture DID and were from spare master links (what I had available). I do not know their material composition. I assume some type of rubber compound and that all vendors O-rings would be fairly material consistant. If you can tell me a (simple) way to test the spare O-ring to determine it's compound let me know and/or perhaps other members will chime in. Keithm |
No I Don't But..
Quote:
Good job on test...but you have WAY too much spare time!:lol3 |
Nice work! Here's the stuff/technique I use on my chains. Works like a charm.
I've never had problems with WD40, but feared that some of it might slip past an errant o-ring and work it's magic on the grease within. I'm looking forward to the long-term test. Some of those o-rings are going to be begging for mercy! Jeff |
You forgot to test with ATF.:waysad
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Nice work. But what about olive oil???
:lol3 :freaky |
awesome! you get an
A+:freaky al |
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