Colloidal Graphite

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18632, 16 February 1935, Page 9

Colloidal Graphite

iTHE main value of colloidal graphite is that it' can be mixed with engine oil and so circulates- to all tlie bearing surfaces. The product must not be confused with ordinary coin.lierical'graphite. The colloidal form olencis instantly with tlic oil, and does oof. tend to precipitate and form a Judge. This special graphite is so tine that, as has been proved by numerous experiments, it actually -penetrates the microscopic pores oi the metal of the cylinder walls and bearings, and, being an excellent lubricant, .ts presence in such places is naturally very valuable. Colloidal graphite is specially indicated during tlic process of running-in a new -engine, for, as is .veil known, the frictional surfaces •lave to acquire a line working finish, .md it is claimed that the graphite is of great help to that process. ,

Numerous tests have shown that by iiuploying a gruphitod lubricant a big •factor of safety is. afforded against the possible failure of the oil supply and consequent seizure of bearings and pistons. It is also significant that no expert critics have seen (it. to attack the general claims made for it, or to suggest that it might bo in the least degree harmful or objectionable. There is, however, some difference of opinion ns to the amount which should be blended with the engine oil and the desirability of adding graphite each time the crankcase is drained and refilled with fresh lubricant. The graphite is retailed in' small tins in a semi-liquid form, and can be mixed quite easily with the oil, instructions us to the amount of oil which can be so treated' being printed on the tin. But tile question arises. “Should such a quantity be added to each new refill of engine oil''” It is suggested that that course is unnecessary and sometimes unwise. During the time the first charge r>J treated oil is circulating, say for 1000 miles running, the pores of the metal will become well impregnated with the graphite, and thereat ter it should suffice to treat the oil only at every second filling, or to add a less quantity' of the preparation on eaen occasion the engine oil is renewed. It was slated by an engineer consulted, who handles many cars weekly, thut lie was definitely in favor of colloidal graphite, and could name many' instances in which it had demonstrably' minimised wear and tear, but that some motorists were prone to use it to excess, with the result that the oil had too high a content of the substance. The only objectionable elfnct of that was tho tendency of spark plug cores to carbonise quickly, with a consequent loss of their insulating qualities, which in turn led to misfiring and the need for cleaning the plugs. “As the result of prolonged observation,” lie added, “I am definitely in favor of colloidal graphite, which in no circumstances can possibly .Ktrm the mechanism, is a genuinely valuable auxiliary lubricant, and when used discreetly and not to excess will not cause any fouling of the spark plugs.”

A Scottish lady' invited a gentleman to dinner on n particular day and he had accepted with the reser vation, “If I am spared.” “Wool, wool,” replied she, “it ye’re deid I’ll no’ expect ye.”

The Joneses were half-way througo their morning meqj when suddenly the telephone bell rang and Jones, the male, jumped hurriedly to his feet and rushed for the receiver.

Jones, the female, listened intently through the open doorway, hoping, perhaps, that: she might fine' fresh prool of her husband’s inconsistency. Dot instead:

“Hallo . . . Yes . . . Who? . .Oh Aunt Agatha, oh, yes .. . What. .

Surely iiot! . . . Aunt Agatha, yon said? . . . Good heavens! When? . • •

This morning? ... I am surprised . . . What time . . . 7TO? . . . Good gracious! . . . She’s getting on, too, isn’t she? . . . Sixty-one? ! thought so . . . Well, I never . . . Only one, I hope . . . What! 'Two? . . . Great. Scott! . • • The nurse . . . Gas the doctor boon” . . . Yes? . . . He said what? . . . They’re getting on as well as can be expected? . . . Good . . • Yes . . . Yes . . . All right, I’ll ring you again later.” “Whatever . . . ?’’ began his wile as .Tones put; down the receiver again. “Poor old Aunt Agatha,” replied her husband, “has squashed' two at her fingers in the door getting up tl.is this morning . . .! ”