Electrics
Ballistol is so unique! What other product can lubricate, clean contacts and conduct electricity?
Ballistol and Electricity
Ballistol has a very low electrical conductivity, however, it is not a total insulator in the strict sense of the word. The electrical conductivity of pure Ballistol is 0.005 Micro-Siemens/cm, which is 1/60 the conductivity of uncontaminated water (distilled water: 0.3 Micro-Siemens/cm). 0.005 Micro-Siemens/cm is the equivalent of approx. 900,000 Ohms or 0.9 Mega-Ohm. A total non-conductor would have to have an Ohmic resistance of > 100 Mega-Ohm. That Ballistol is a mild electrolyte is owed to the fact that it contains Potassium Oleate, which is an ionized substance. The Potassium Oleate being an oxidator is also the reason why Ballistol is an effective corrosion inhibitor, capable of inhibiting also acidic and galvanic corrosion. The Potassium Oleate ions bind all the oxygen they come in contact with, making it unavailable for corrosion.
Ballistol emulsifies with water and its electrical conductivity naturally increases with the amount of water contained in it. The more water is contained in an emulsion with Ballistol, the closer the conductivity of the emulsion will move toward the conductivity of water. In the extreme the Ohmic resistance of emulsified Ballistol may go down to ca. 50,000. Ohms. Ballistol’s capability to retain its lubricity in the presence of water hinges on its capability to emulsify with water.
The two capabilities which make Ballistol an outstanding lubricant and corrosion inhibitor also limit its capabilities as an electrical insulator and as a water blocker in electrical installations.
Ballistol is capable of dissolving traces of lead, copper, tombac and zinc. This is why it can clean and shine brass, silver and bronze. When applied to brass contacts, Ballistol will dissolve and inhibit surface corrosion. Ballistol aerosols contain Butane and Propane as propellants. While this would seem to involve a theoretical risk of explosion, the real risk may not be as high as it seems. The upper explosion limit of Butane in air is 8.5 vol.%, its lower explosion limit is 1.5 vol%. Expressed in grams per cubic meter this equals 37 g/m3 for the lower and 210 g/m3 for the upper explosion limit. For Propane the lower explosion limit is 39 g/rn3, the upper explosion limit is 180 g/m3. In other words: in order to obtain an explosive mix of either Propane or Butane with air one would have to empty an entire 7.3 oz. Ballistol aerosol can into one cubic meter (27 cubic feet) of air and retain it there without any leakage. It is obvious that such a condition is not easy to create, not even on purpose., Ballistol is also available in non-pressurized containers, which reduces the risk of explosion even further.
While Ballistol is safe to use in most electrical installations, we do not recommend its deployment in energized installations for reasons of general safety. In low voltage, low ohmic resistance equipment, Ballistol may cause temporary shorts when applied very richly. Use of Ballistol inside Network Integration Devices and similar installations is not recommended.
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