Silicone and Teflon Lubricant Properties?

[peasea]

What are the differences in the properties and performance of lubricants containing silcone or teflon. Where are these best used or avoided?. Are they better suited for salt water environments than products with straight mineral oil lubricants for light duty use? -- Peasea

 

[Quandary]

I don't know enough to answer your question but have used both on my boat.
The main benefit for me is cleaness when used on headfoils, mast grooves, travellers etc. I tend to use spray on silicone lubricant where in contact with sails or rope but teflon on traveller cars where (I hope) it lasts a bit longer. They can be expensive but the toolshop versions from places like Screwfix are a lot cheaper than yotty labelled stuff from chandleries. I would not use anything other than oil based lubricants on metal to metal such as winches etc.

You should get more detailed info on the chemical and physical characteristics shortly.

 

[electrosys]

I can recommend Metalyte Power-Gel 250, which is used on commercial food preparation machinery (and just about every application on the boat !).

The tubes read:

Multi-Purpose synthetic lubricant with micronic suspended P.T.F.E.
* Non-Toxic
* F.D.A Approved Base Constituents
* Synthetic base Fluid

Metalyte Power Gel 250 synthetic lubricant incorporates micronised particles of P.T.F.E. to reduce friction and increase performance under pressure. It has a smooth thixotrophic texture and is non-toxic and long lasting.
Power Gel 250 has excellent anti-wear, rust and corrosion properties. It operates over an extremely wide temperature range (-50C to 250C), is totally water resistant and will not wash out, harden or freeze in cold temperatures.
Power Gel 250 is suitable for all types of industries and can be applied liberally to gears, cams, linkages, plungers, guides, runners, battery terminals etc., where a clean non-toxic product is desirable.
Power Gel 250 exceeds specifications for N.L.G.I. Grade 2 multi-purpose grease and can be used wherever conventional grease is specified.


Hope at least some of this blurb is of help.

 

[charles_reed]

An enormous question.

Silicon-based lubricants are generally more viscous, more water resistant and more expensive than carbon based ones.

PTFE is a dry lubricant, usually contained in a solvent which evaporates leaving a low-friction film.

So, typically, use a silcone grease in winches, PTFE for sails and slides.