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Re: Vasaline

Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2005-03-05 12:16

(Disclaimer - I sell a plant derived cork grease and a synthetic cork grease)
There are a couple plant derived cork greases on the market which I feel will help preserve cork for a longer period of time than petroleum based greases such as Vaseline. Several major manufacturers sell petroleum based cork greases which have a similar composition to Chap Stick lip treatment (read the labels of the registered trademarked product and generics for comparison of their composition). The aim of cork grease in the short run is to make assembly and disassembly easier by reducing friction. The aim in the long run IMO is to reduce friction but also preserve the functional cork structure as well.

Cork is wood, specifically the outer bark of the cork tree. IMHO petroleum based products are not good for wood. My own experimentation indicates that petroleum based greases will infiltrate the cell walls of the cork, weaken them, and lead to premature collapse of the box shaped cellular structure of the cork which is responsible for its functional role. These cube shaped cells have the unique ability to be compressed and then when compressive force is removed, return to their original 3 dimensional cube shape (rebound). It is this compressibility and rebound which allows the cork on tenons to repeatedly form an airtight seal.

Plant derived cork grease with oils and waxes from plants have been shown to preserve wood - historically. Petroleum based products, or wood of any sort exposed or immersed in petroleum, will disintegrate wood at a faster rate because of the breakdown of the cell walls and cellulose bonding in wood structure than untreated wood.

There are several synthetic greases including Alisyn and others created for the aerospace program which will not infiltrate cork cellular structure and cause cork cell wall failure. These synthetic greases are therefore neutral in their apparent preservation effects on the cork but do not cause the destruction common to petroleum based products.

As mentioned, depending on the type of adhesive used to put the cork on the tenon, petroleum based products often will dissolve or soften the bond of the cork to the tenon. Plant derived cork grease and synthetics will not loosen the common adhesives.
L. Omar Henderson

Post Edited (2005-03-05 12:31)

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Author

Date

Vasaline new

dummer musiker

2005-03-04 00:22

Re: Vaseline new

Gordon (NZ)

2005-03-04 01:24