Hydrous vs. Anhydrous Lanolin

[lizzandkevin]

Does anyone know if Hydrous lanolin can be used safely in place of anhydrous lanolin on stainless steel rigging?

[k1vsk]

either will serve the same purpose as all lanolin becomes "hydrous" upon exposure to ambient conditions

[Tartan34C]

Anhydrous lanolin contains not more than 0.25 per cent water and hydrous lanolin contains between 25 and 30 per cent water. They are very different and not interchangeable in this use.
All the best,
Robert Gainer

[sailingdog]

I don't believe anhydrous lanolin becomes hydrous upon use in a marine environment and would highly recommend using only anhydrous lanolin or you will be causing the problem you're trying to prevent—corrosion.

[sailaway21]

Cavaet: I am not familiar with lanolin's chemical properties but I am familiar with other anhydrous compounds. The anhydrous compounds I am familiar with are only maintained that way by storage. Once exposed to the atmosphere they quickly bond with water molecules and become hydrous. Ammonia is a good example. It is actually applied as a fertiliser as a gas-it bonds so quickly with water molecules that virtually none is lost to the atmosphere.

[Tartan34C]

Originally Posted by sailaway21

Cavaet: I am not familiar with lanolin's chemical properties but I am familiar with other anhydrous compounds. The anhydrous compounds I am familiar with are only maintained that way by storage. Once exposed to the atmosphere they quickly bond with water molecules and become hydrous. Ammonia is a good example. It is actually applied as a fertiliser as a gas-it bonds so quickly with water molecules that virtually none is lost to the atmosphere.

The difference is that one starts dry and will only become as wet as the ambient conditions permit. And it will take a long time for it to absorb any water because of its “oil” or wax content. It’s somewhat, but in reverse, like wood which starts out wet and dries to 8 to 12 percent water content and becomes stable. The hydrous lanolin is very “wet” and has less lubrication value and is ineffective at corrosion protection because it is the source of water. Of course it will finally dry somewhat but because it’s a wax it protects the water to some extent and it will take a long time to dry and will never get as dry as anhydrous lanolin. For rigging work stick to what has been proven to be effective and don’t try to save a couple of pennies, use anhydrous lanolin.
All the best,
Robert Gainer

[sailingdog]

Also, in many cases, the actual exposure of anhydrous lanolin to water in usage is minimal. Coating the threads of a bolt or turnbuckle and then screwing the bolt or turnbuckle will essentially cover the anhydrous lanolin with only the very edges exposed. The central portions will take a very long time to absorb any water—since contact and exposure to water is extremely low.

[neelysan]

Originally Posted by Tartan34C

Anhydrous lanolin contains not more than 0.25 per cent water and hydrous lanolin contains between 25 and 30 per cent water. They are very different and not interchangeable in this use.
All the best,
Robert Gainer

perhaps you should learn the difference between "then" and "than" before posting advise.......

[erps]

Robert has since passed away and his "advice" was appreciated by many on this forum.

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/genera...tml#post290957

[MastUndSchotbruch]

Originally Posted by neelysan

perhaps you should learn the difference between "then" and "than" before posting advise.......

I believe _you_ should learn the difference.

In particular before you criticize one of the most valued members of this board for something this silly, and then even getting it perfectly wrong . Oh, and since you are so smart, why don't you look up the difference between 'advise' and 'advice?'

I am very proud to have counted Robert among my friends before he passed away. I am not one to use strong words easily but I have seen few occasions where the expression 'smart ass' fits better than to you.