8462 – Silicone Grease for Electronics

The 8462 is a dielectric silicone grease that is often misunderstood. Many people think dielectric means the grease conducts electric current, but this is not the case. Rather, dielectrics are insulating and help prevent shorts and arcing. What's important when using a dielectric grease is where the user applies the paste so as not to disrupt current flow.

Silicone-based lubricants like the 8462 find use around electrical connectors to help preserve them and prevent rusting. Consider a plug in a marine outlet charging the house batteries of a boat. The plugs face exposure to salt water which is highly corrosive and can rust the pins over time. To seal the plugs from moisture, apply a layer of 8462 around the outer part where the plug meets the socket.

A popular example is a car battery. The battery terminals face harsh weather and rust is a concern. To help repel water and preserve the lugs, apply the grease at the top of the lug. Users must not however apply the grease where the clamps connect to the battery as that would impede the flow of current.

Another common use is applying silicone grease to spark plugs. Like the battery terminal example above, spark plug terminals can also degrade over time when exposed to harsh environments. Dielectric grease works well when applied over the threads of spark plug terminals to seal out water. Again, take caution and avoid getting the grease over metal contacts to preserve current flow.

The 8462 has a large operating temperature range up to 250C, expanding the scope of potential applications. The grease has a soft, buttery texture that makes it easy to spread over large surfaces. The 8462 passes the rust preventative bearing test per ASTM D1743 with compliant results after 48 hours at 52C.

Packaging options range from cartridges to pails depending on the scale of your project. We offer thermally conductive grease for applications that require thermal management. We also carry a line of electrically conductive grease for applications requiring lubrication and electrical conductivity. Finally, we have white lithium grease which repels water and provides excellent lubrication.