Diver Safe Grease

Submarines have actuated parts that must be lubricated with grease to ensure correct operation and long service-life. In dry deck shelters (DDS), which are enclosed areas, divers are subjected to fumes that may be off-gassed from these greases. The DDS’s are subject to elevated temperatures and pressures that cause volatile components to be off-gassed from the standard greases used. In order to eliminate the threat to divers, the Navy utilizes Krytox 240AC or Halocarbon 25-5S lubricants in the DDS’s. These aerospace quality greases (which are fluorocarbon-based) do not release toxic chemicals. However, resistance to seawater washout is low, and these expensive materials constantly have to be reapplied. The resultant expense is unacceptable. To eliminate this problem form the Navy, TRI has been developing a grease that is resistant to water washout, but does not off-gas toxic fumes upon exposure to the environments encountered in the DDS’s. This new grease will provide the same lubrication properties as the materials currently used by the Navy. During the Phase II effort, TRI will be refining the formulation, and scaling up production. The Navy can expect to save both time and money associated with the constant reapplication of the currently used materials.