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Re: Graphite powder is a fantasy
By:Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks
Date: 6/5/2009, 10:12 am

: Good argument. Problem is it works, don't ask me why. Well it works on the
: bottom of the boat, if it works by lubrication is beyond me, but it's
: extremely damage resistant and seems to slide off of things that
: previously would have caused deep scratches.

One should never let reality get in the way of a good argument.

Graphite lubricates by having low sheer strength. I.e. the atomic structures slide between themselves fairly easily. Epoxy has relatively high sheer strength. When you add graphite to epoxy it weakens the epoxy but does it in such a way that it releases the lubricating properties of the graphite. Jay's good argument assumes each graphite atomic structure is complete surrounded and bonded with epoxy. It is unlikely we are ever able to mix it that thoroughly. As a result the graphite sits as clusters of solid graphite encased in epoxy.

When the graphite/epoxy composite rubs against something, the epoxy breaks, providing access to the graphite clusters. So, instead of the sharp rock catching hold of the epoxy and digging in, it hits the graphite, releasing the lubrication and the rock slides on it.

Messages In This Thread

Epoxy: Graphite powder
Pedro Almeida -- 6/4/2009, 8:57 am
Re: Epoxy: Graphite powder
Robert N Pruden -- 6/8/2009, 1:22 pm
Re: Epoxy: Graphite powder
Marc Upchurch -- 12/14/2012, 8:21 am
Re: Epoxy: Graphite powder
Mike Bielski -- 12/14/2012, 12:44 am
Re: Epoxy: Graphite powder
ancient kayaker -- 12/13/2012, 11:30 pm
floor of the cockpit area
LeeG -- 6/5/2009, 10:23 pm
Graphite powder is a fantasy ------WebKitFormBound
Jay Babina ------WebKitFormBoundaryfepY5Qs5anRp5+O -- 6/5/2009, 9:19 am
Re: Graphite powder is a fantasy ------WebKitFormB
Bill Hamm -- 6/5/2009, 9:54 am
Re: Graphite powder is a fantasy
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 6/5/2009, 10:12 am
Graphite powder is a fantasy
Jay Babina -- 6/5/2009, 11:49 am
Re: Graphite powder is a fantasy
Bill Hamm -- 6/5/2009, 2:45 pm
Re: Graphite powder is a fantasy *PIC*
robert l -- 12/13/2012, 3:45 pm
Re: Graphite powder is a fantasy
Bill Hamm -- 12/14/2012, 3:36 pm
Re: Graphite powder is a fantasy
Robert N Pruden -- 12/17/2012, 2:37 pm
Re: Graphite powder is a fantasy *PIC*
woodman -- 12/17/2012, 9:46 pm
Re: Graphite powder is a fantasy
Bill Hamm -- 12/18/2012, 1:01 am
Re: Graphite powder is a fantasy *PIC*
woodman -- 12/18/2012, 5:37 pm
Re: Graphite powder is a fantasy
Bill Hamm -- 12/19/2012, 1:52 am
Re: Graphite powder is a fantasy *PIC*
woodman -- 12/16/2012, 8:36 am
Re: Graphite powder is a fantasy
Bill Hamm -- 12/17/2012, 12:17 am
Re: Graphite powder is a fantasy
robert l -- 12/13/2012, 3:53 pm
Re: Graphite powder is a fantasy
Glen Smith -- 6/5/2009, 3:18 pm
Re: Graphite powder is a fantasy
LeeG -- 6/5/2009, 10:05 pm
Re: Graphite powder is a fantasy
Robert N Pruden -- 6/8/2009, 1:57 pm
Re: Graphite powder is a fantasy
Bill Hamm -- 6/6/2009, 12:43 am
Re: Graphite powder is a fantasy
LeeG -- 6/6/2009, 5:07 pm
Re: Graphite powder is a fantasy
Bill Hamm -- 6/7/2009, 12:24 am
Re: Graphite powder is a fantasy
Bill Hamm -- 6/5/2009, 3:38 pm
Re: Graphite powder is a fantasy
eric Ogata -- 6/5/2009, 1:48 pm
Re: Epoxy: Graphite powder
Mike Bielski -- 6/4/2009, 1:52 pm
Re: Epoxy: Graphite powder
Bill Hamm -- 6/4/2009, 11:54 am