Has anyone tried EP2 grease for their linear rails and lead screws?
When I built a Voron, that is the grease they recommended for all parts that needed lubrication since it is thicker and will last longer. They specifically said to not use silicon-based lubricants as they have small particles inside that will eat at the rails and lead screw nuts.
How would you get the EP2 into the linear rail bearings?
(spoiler: you can’t)
To be fair, the question was about linear rails, not rail bearings trollface.jpg
EP2 (extreme pressure) greases are formulated for and contain additives that make it suitable for, you guessed it, extreme pressure applications. That isn’t this application, and that extra thickness just creates more resistance for the machine to constantly have to work against.
I’m using a molybdenum disulfide non-EP grease, that, to me, is a better “upgraded” grease option than an EP.
Edit: to put numbers to it, EP2 grease have a typical viscosity of 150-220. The Liquid Moly I use (#2003) has a viscosity of 110.
There’s another problem, although EP2 might be fine for the lead screws themselves, the sulfur in it will attack the yellow-metal nut.
According to Google, sulfur is safe to use on brass, which I believe is what the nut is made out of.
Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) can be safely and effectively used on brass surfaces to lower friction
The problems with it will start if it’s subject to “extreme moisture and high-temperature oxidizing conditions”.
I would think the same way that the oil gets in there. The only difference would be that it will have to be spread in a thin coating along the rail.
Sounds good. Let us know how it works.
EP 2 is good for the wheel bearings on your car or truck.
The lubes used in my printer are silicon based. So when I run out of the provided lubricants I will be using Super Lube for the screws and silicon oil for my rods. (I use Super Lube on my Telescope mount. It is very widely available.)
No need to reinvent the wheel here. Stick with the recommended lubes and don’t destroy your equipment.
Spend a bit of time researching what a recirculating linear carriage looks like inside, then tell us what you think about putting heavy grease in ‘em.
First, @krellboy was referring to actual sulfur in EP2 grease, which is a thing.
Second, the “disulfide” in “molybdenum disulfide” is not the same thing as “sulfur”. Sulfur is an elemental atom that’s freely available to react chemically, disulphide is an ionic compounds that in this case is part of a stable molecule. MoS2 doesn’t just fall apart into molybdenum and sulfur.
Back to high school chemistry with you!
OK, thanks. I read over the “disulfide” part.
I apologize for upsetting you so much!
We’re here to help people, and that can only happen when we speak from facts and actually knowing what we’re talking about. If you don’t know, then you’re speculating, and you should make it clear that you’re speculating.