Anti-seize compound is metal-loaded grease paste for bolt threads operating at high temperature. At ambient it lubricates; at 200-1,400 °C the carrier burns off but Cu / Ni / Al / graphite particles remain as solid-lubricant boundary film preventing thread galling and welding. Used on exhaust manifold bolt, turbocharger stud, refinery flange, boiler stud, brake caliper. India market ~5,000-8,000 MT/year. This guide gives the copper anti-seize BOM and chemistry decision matrix.
| Component | Function | % (m/m) | Indian Supplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synthetic ester (TMP-trioleate) | Carrier — burns clean above 200 °C | 30.0% | Croda Priolube / specialty ester |
| Fumed silica thickener | Paste-forming thickener | 8.0% | Evonik Aerosil R972 / Cabot |
| Copper powder (95% purity, 10-30 µm flake) | Primary high-temp solid lubricant | 35.0% | Indian copper powder suppliers |
| Graphite (natural flake) | Secondary solid lubricant | 12.0% | Indian graphite (Asbury, Carbon India) |
| MoS2 (1-3 µm) | Boundary lubrication | 5.0% | Climax Mo / specialty |
| Aluminium silicate filler | Body / consistency | 4.0% | Specialty filler |
| ASA + TTA CI | Corrosion inhibitor | 0.5% | King K-Corr + Cobratec |
| Phenolic AO | Oxidation protection | 0.3% | BASF Irganox |
| Ester diluent | Consistency fine-tune | 5.2% | Croda Priolube |
| TOTAL | 100.0% | — | |
Process: dissolve fumed silica in ester at 60 °C with 5,000-10,000 RPM high-shear; cool to room temp; add Cu powder + graphite + MoS2 with low-shear (avoid Cu agglomeration); final 3-pass mill to NLGI 1 (penetration 310-340). Service -30 to +870 °C. Ex-works cost ₹520-780 / kg Cu paste; ₹680-1,050 / kg Ni paste (more expensive metal); ₹240-380 / kg graphite-only paste. Pack 250 g / 500 g brush tin (with built-in brush in cap) or aerosol (60% concentrate + 40% propellant). CRITICAL: Cu paste cannot be used on stainless steel (galvanic corrosion) — use Ni paste for SS.
| Chemistry | Service Temp | Application | Restriction | ₹/kg ex-works |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper paste | -30 to +870 °C | Exhaust manifold, turbo, spark plug, brake caliper | NOT on stainless / Al | 520-780 |
| Nickel paste | 870-1,400 °C | Boiler stud, refinery furnace, kiln expansion | Safe on SS / Al | 680-1,050 |
| Aluminium paste | 200-1,100 °C | Marine fastener, food machine (NSF H1) | Cu-free alternative | 480-720 |
| Graphite paste | -50 to +540 °C | General industrial, mining drill bit thread | Conductive (electrical) | 240-380 |
Anti-seize compound is metal-loaded grease paste applied to bolt threads and metal-metal mating surfaces operating at high temperature. At ambient temperature it's a lubricant; at 200-1,400 °C the carrier oil burns off but the metal particles (Cu / Ni / Al / graphite) remain as solid-lubricant boundary film preventing galling, seizing or thread-welding.
Used on exhaust manifold bolts, turbocharger studs, brake caliper bolts, refinery flange bolts, boiler studs, kiln expansion bolts, turbine fasteners.
Cu anti-seize NLGI 1 BOM (%): synthetic ester base (TMP-trioleate) 30%, fumed silica thickener 8%, copper powder (95%, 10-30 µm flake) 35%, graphite 12%, MoS2 5%, aluminium silicate filler 4%, ASA + TTA CI 0.5%, phenolic AO 0.3%, balance ester diluent 5.2%.
Process: dissolve silica in ester with high-shear; cool; add Cu + graphite + MoS2 low-shear; mill to NLGI 1. Service -30 to +870 °C. Ex-works ₹520-780/kg Cu; ₹680-1,050/kg Ni; ₹240-380/kg graphite.
Four anti-seize by temperature + application: (1) COPPER -30 to +870 °C. Exhaust, turbo, spark plug, brake caliper bolt. CANNOT use on stainless (galvanic). (2) NICKEL 870-1,400 °C. Boiler stud, refinery furnace. Safe on SS. (3) ALUMINIUM 200-1,100 °C. Marine, food machine (NSF H1 available).
(4) GRAPHITE -50 to +540 °C. General industrial, mining drill bit. Cheapest. Often combined: Cu + graphite, Ni + graphite hybrid for cost-performance.
India anti-seize: (1) Auto / CV workshop — exhaust, brake caliper bolt, spark plug ~30%. (2) Refinery + petrochem (IOCL, BPCL, HPCL, RIL, ONGC) ~25%. (3) Power generation (NTPC, NPCIL boiler stud, turbine) ~20%. (4) Steel + cement plant (kiln, furnace) ~15%. (5) Heavy industry + mining ~10%. Total ~5,000-8,000 MT/year.
Brands: Loctite Anti-Seize, Permatex, Wurth Cu Paste / Ni Paste, Liqui Moly LM 508, 3M N-7000 Ni Anti-Seize. ₹680-1,800 / 250g tin retail. Lubechem custom ₹240-1,050/kg by chemistry.
DO NOT use copper anti-seize on: (1) Stainless steel fastener (galvanic corrosion — Cu attacks SS, creates pitting). (2) Aluminium alloy (galvanic Al-Cu). (3) Spark plug thread on engines with Pt / Ir plug (manufacturer-specific). (4) Fuel injector thread (contamination). (5) Brake friction surface (only on caliper bolt, NOT pad / disc).
Use Nickel paste for SS / Al / aerospace / nuclear. Use Aluminium paste for marine + food machine. Use Graphite for general moderate-temp industrial. Wrong anti-seize on stainless = corrosion failure within months.
Opposite functions. Anti-seize compound lubricates threads, prevents galling, allows easy disassembly. Used on bolts that need re-tightening or removal (exhaust manifold, brake caliper, refinery flange).
Thread locker (Loctite 222 / 243 / 263 / 270) is anaerobic resin that cures on threads to prevent vibration loosening. Used on bolts that MUST stay tight (engine main bearing cap, suspension, structural). Never apply both to same fastener. Workshop kit has both products separately.
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