Vitro-Lube NPI-1220

Vitro-Lube NPI-1220Vitro-Lube NPI-1220

Of the four lubricants currently marketed by NPI, this lubricantis the most unique and widely used. Vitro-Lube is technology thatwas generated by the XB-70 group at the Los Angeles Division ofNorth American Aviation, Inc. (now The Boeing Company). It was theresult of a crash program initiated after exhaustive screening andevaluation which revealed that the dry film lubricant industry hadnot advanced the state-of-the-art to a point that would come closeto meeting the requirements of the XB-70 Mach 3 aircraft.

NPI negotiated an exclusive license with NAA in 1965 andproceeded to further evaluate the process as it would relate toother vehicles and systems, Now, over 45 years later, we feel safein claiming that Vitro-Lube is that very special dry filmcommercially available for use at temperatures up to +700 F whileat the same time offering outstanding performance at roomtemperature and cryogenic temperatures. It has been extensivelyevaluated over a wide range of temperatures and load levelsincluding fretting/vibration conditions, and based on all availablecomparative test data, is still unsurpassed in terms of high loadwear life over its designed temperature range.

The Vitro-Lube process offers reproducibility and qualityassurance never before attained in the industry. This is a must ifthe designer is to rely on a thin film as the only means oflubrication in a particular device or system. Vitro-Lube NPI-1220is a high load lubricant and is composed of lubricating pigments ina ceramic binder, and carried in a common solvent. It is fired fora short period of time in a high heat recovery kiln until thesurface of the lubricated part reaches +975 degrees F and heldthere for one minute. A top coat of MoS2, graphite and a phenolicresin is then applied and cured for one hour at +300 F. The nominalthickness of this two coat system is 0.0005 to 0.0009 inches;Vitro-Lube NPI-1220 is supplied only as a finished material that isapplied to customer furnished hardware by NPI.

Changes to the basic 1220 formula have been attempted both withthe base coat and the top coat. The most successful modificationwas found to be a slight change to the top coat requiring a cure of+575 F with no change to the base coat. This became our Vitro-LubeNPI-1220C in 1995 and provides significantly longer wear life aswell as significantly lower overall friction.