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#1
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RTV Silicone And Coax Outer Jacket: Safe ?
Hello:
Is it safe to use the typical GE RTV silicones against a Polyethylene (PE) coax outer jacket ? I know the RTV's use some type of acid (acetic ?) to cure the stuff, and I was wondering if anyone might have any first hand experience if there is any kind of interaction with a coax outer jacket ? Thanks, Bob |
#2
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RTV Silicone And Coax Outer Jacket: Safe ?
Bob,
Go to h http://www.dowcorning.com/content/et..._aas_1ptov.asp for just about everything you would ever want to know. We use several grades of electronics RTVs at work in contact with coaxial cable jackets and all kinds of components to meet DO-160E vibration requirements for airplave use. The stuff we use does not have the characteristic acetic acid smell which I think is actually stearic acid. 73, Larry, W0QE Robert11 wrote: Hello: Is it safe to use the typical GE RTV silicones against a Polyethylene (PE) coax outer jacket ? I know the RTV's use some type of acid (acetic ?) to cure the stuff, and I was wondering if anyone might have any first hand experience if there is any kind of interaction with a coax outer jacket ? Thanks, Bob |
#3
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RTV Silicone And Coax Outer Jacket: Safe ?
In article ,
Larry Benko wrote: Bob, Go to h http://www.dowcorning.com/content/et..._aas_1ptov.asp for just about everything you would ever want to know. We use several grades of electronics RTVs at work in contact with coaxial cable jackets and all kinds of components to meet DO-160E vibration requirements for airplave use. The stuff we use does not have the characteristic acetic acid smell which I think is actually stearic acid. According to the labels I've read, much of the consumer-grade RTV does in fact release acetic acid as it cures. Not good stuff to use around electronics or other metals. The noncorrosive, "moisture cure" or "neutral cure" RTVs are a better choice for use around electronics. The ones marketed as "electronics- grade" are the surest bet in this regard, and usually need to be mail-ordered. A possible compromise would be the consumer-grade RTVs which are specifically advertised as being noncorrosive for use on metals - the labels on these say that they release methanol and ammonia during cure. -- Dave Platt AE6EO Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will boycott any company which has the gall to send me such ads! |
#4
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RTV Silicone And Coax Outer Jacket: Safe ?
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
Dave Platt wrote: The noncorrosive, "moisture cure" or "neutral cure" RTVs are a better choice for use around electronics. The ones marketed as "electronics- grade" are the surest bet in this regard, and usually need to be mail-ordered. *********** REPLY SEPARATOR *********** Your local pet shop will have RTV made for sealing glass aquariums which does not release acetic acid or anything else harmful to fish. If it won't harm fish, it surely won't harm your hardware. 73, Bill W6WRT |
#5
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RTV Silicone And Coax Outer Jacket: Safe ?
On Mon, 13 Mar 2006 18:59:34 -0500, "Robert11" sent
into the ether: Hello: Is it safe to use the typical GE RTV silicones against a Polyethylene (PE) coax outer jacket ? I know the RTV's use some type of acid (acetic ?) to cure the stuff, and I was wondering if anyone might have any first hand experience if there is any kind of interaction with a coax outer jacket ? Thanks, Bob Bob, I have been using GE 1200 on coax and connectors since the early seventies and have never had a problem with it affecting good silver plated or cheap connectors or the varying grades of coax I have used. If you want to be fussy cover the connector with electrical tape and then cover with silicone. This makes it easier to remove but is not necessary for protecting the connector or the coax. I would not use it inside of a radio or other electronic equipment but outside of that it will not hurt and will keep the connection free of moisture, BTW, if you do wrap it with tape first be sure to coat the coax past the tape to ensure a good waterproof seal. N9JBF I've learned that I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it! Remove the x for e-mail reply www.outdoorfrontiers.com www.SecretWeaponLures.com A proud charter member of "PETAF", People for Eating Tasty Animals and Fish!!! |
#6
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RTV Silicone And Coax Outer Jacket: Safe ?
The advice to avoid acetic-acid smelling RTV because of corrosion is
passed along from person to person like an urban legend, but like an urban legend it's just about impossible to find anyone who's actually seen any corrosion result from its use. (A number of queries I've made over the years has produced just one, using a very early version of RTV.) I've used the acetic-acid smelling stuff for decades on a variety of metals including tinned and untinned wire, aluminum, nickel, and copper circuit boards, and never seen a hint of corrosion. But formulations vary widely, and my experience certainly isn't exhaustive. I'm not entirely convinced, though, that among the many formulations there aren't others, which don't have that smell, which might be corrosive to some materials. People who worry about this should buy an industrial product and stay with it, since there's a much better chance the formulation won't change in the future without notice. Roy Lewallen, W7EL |
#7
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RTV Silicone And Coax Outer Jacket: Safe ?
On Mon, 13 Mar 2006 23:14:29 -0800, Roy Lewallen
wrote: The advice to avoid acetic-acid smelling RTV because of corrosion is passed along from person to person like an urban legend, but like an urban legend it's just about impossible to find anyone who's actually seen any corrosion result from its use. (A number of queries I've made over the years has produced just one, using a very early version of RTV.) [snip] Roy Lewallen, W7EL HI Roy, I have been using a different product for over a decade that works great - liquid vinyl tape. It does a heck of a job for sealing water-tight connections and, like RTV, doesn'g get hard and crack. You can buy it a most hardware stores. Its easy to use and, like was suggest earlier in this thread, I first wrap the connection with regular vinyl tape (a single layer) before appling the liquid compond - its makes for much easier removal when needed. 73 Danny |
#8
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RTV Silicone And Coax Outer Jacket: Safe ?
I was visiting a local SGC dealer years ago as he was troubleshooting a
brand new antenna tuner that was not working. When he opened the plastic case, that special RTV acidic smell almost knocked us over and all the tinned circuit board traces and exposed wiring were corroded and black. SGC claimed they used the wrong type of RTV on a batch of tuners that was not for electronics use. Mike Roy Lewallen wrote: The advice to avoid acetic-acid smelling RTV because of corrosion is passed along from person to person like an urban legend, but like an urban legend it's just about impossible to find anyone who's actually seen any corrosion result from its use. (A number of queries I've made over the years has produced just one, using a very early version of RTV.) I've used the acetic-acid smelling stuff for decades on a variety of metals including tinned and untinned wire, aluminum, nickel, and copper circuit boards, and never seen a hint of corrosion. But formulations vary widely, and my experience certainly isn't exhaustive. I'm not entirely convinced, though, that among the many formulations there aren't others, which don't have that smell, which might be corrosive to some materials. People who worry about this should buy an industrial product and stay with it, since there's a much better chance the formulation won't change in the future without notice. Roy Lewallen, W7EL |
#9
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RTV Silicone And Coax Outer Jacket: Safe ?
Mike wrote:
Roy Lewallen wrote: The advice to avoid acetic-acid smelling RTV because of corrosion is passed along from person to person like an urban legend, but like an urban legend it's just about impossible to find anyone who's actually seen any corrosion result from its use. (A number of queries I've made over the years has produced just one, using a very early version of RTV.) I've used the acetic-acid smelling stuff for decades on a variety of metals including tinned and untinned wire, aluminum, nickel, and copper circuit boards, and never seen a hint of corrosion. But formulations vary widely, and my experience certainly isn't exhaustive. I'm not entirely convinced, though, that among the many formulations there aren't others, which don't have that smell, which might be corrosive to some materials. People who worry about this should buy an industrial product and stay with it, since there's a much better chance the formulation won't change in the future without notice. Roy Lewallen, W7EL I was visiting a local SGC dealer years ago as he was troubleshooting a brand new antenna tuner that was not working. When he opened the plastic case, that special RTV acidic smell almost knocked us over and all the tinned circuit board traces and exposed wiring were corroded and black. SGC claimed they used the wrong type of RTV on a batch of tuners that was not for electronics use. Most likely because they closed the cases before the silicone had cured, not realising they were trapping the acetic acid vapour inside. The same can happen in balun boxes and the like. It would be interesting to know if there have been *any* cases that didn't also involve some kind of closed situation, or possibly a layer that was too thick to let the vapour diffuse out. -- 73 from Ian GM3SEK 'In Practice' columnist for RadCom (RSGB) http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek |
#10
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RTV Silicone And Coax Outer Jacket: Safe ?
Dan Richardson k6mheatadelphia wrote:
On Mon, 13 Mar 2006 23:14:29 -0800, Roy Lewallen wrote: The advice to avoid acetic-acid smelling RTV because of corrosion is passed along from person to person like an urban legend, but like an urban legend it's just about impossible to find anyone who's actually seen any corrosion result from its use. (A number of queries I've made over the years has produced just one, using a very early version of RTV.) [snip] Roy Lewallen, W7EL HI Roy, I have been using a different product for over a decade that works great - liquid vinyl tape. It does a heck of a job for sealing water-tight connections and, like RTV, doesn'g get hard and crack. You can buy it a most hardware stores. Its easy to use and, like was suggest earlier in this thread, I first wrap the connection with regular vinyl tape (a single layer) before appling the liquid compond - its makes for much easier removal when needed. I've pretty much switched completely to the Plasti-Dip stuff myself. It is readily available in at least two colors--red and black--at Lowe's. I used RTV, both the acetic acid and non-acetic acid varieties through the years. After a couple of unpleasant corrosion experiences with the acetic acid type, I began either wrapping connectors with vinyl electrical tape or spraying with acrylic sealant and then applied the RTV. Either way works well. I recall seeing cautions that one should be wary of black RTV in that it could conduct. I don't know whether it can break down but I've used the clear product. Dave Heil K8MN |
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