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Page 1 of 4
Colloidal Graphite- “Aquadag” AGG303
Aquadag” is a dispersion of the purest and finest colloidal graphite in water. It is a concentrate and is
generally diluted with distilled, soft or demineralised water before use. The fineness, purity and
excellent suspension properties of the graphite particles enable the diluted product to be employed in
an extensive range of applications for which lower grade dispersions and graphite powder are
unsuitable.
USES
“Aquadag” is used to provide continuous, adherent dry films of colloidal graphite on a variety of
materials. Such films are mainly used as lubricants, parting agents or as electrical conductors.
Typical uses are:
Lubrication in the hot drawing of tungsten and molybdenum wire.
Mould and die coating in the gravity and pressure die casting of light alloys and other metals.
Pre-treatment and service lubrication of hot metal working tools e.g. extrusion dies and mandrels,
forging dies.
Surface coating of gasket and jointing materials to provide food parting properties and give a good
appearance.
Impregnation of porous materials – e.g. asbestos, paper, wood and textiles to impart some of the
properties of graphite such as good lubrication and improved conductivity of heat and electricity.
Photographic opaque.
Electrically conducting coatings.
Unit 7, M11 Business Link
Parsonage Lane, Stansted
Essex, UK CM24 8GF
t: +44 (0)1279 813519
f: +44 (0)1279 815106
e: sales@agarscientific.com
w: www.agarscientific.com
Agar Scientific is a brand name of Elektron Technology UK Ltd.
Registered Address: Elektron Technology UK Ltd, Broers Building, JJ Thomson Ave, Cambridge, CB3 0FA, UK.
Registered in the UK: 4949934 VAT Number: GB 823 5842 25
Page 2 of 4
DISPERSION DATA
Dispersed Solid Graphite Solids Content 18%
Carrier Water Density 11 lb/gal.
(1.1 kg/litre)
Diluents Distilled, soft or PH value 10 approx.
demineralised water Shelf life 12 months
Consistency A light thixotropic paste
Covering power 1 lb of product suitably diluted will cover approximately 300 sq.ft of a
non-porous surface.
METHODS OF APPLICATION
GENERAL
“Aquadag” is a concentrate and it should normally be diluted before use with distilled, soft or
demineralised water.
It is important that dilution be carried out be adding water to the concentrate, not the reverse. Water
should be added slowly with constant stirring until a fluid consistency is obtained.
The remaining water may then be added more rapidly until the required dilution is reached.
“Aquadag”, like certain other suspensions of finely divided solids, is thixotropic, i.e. it gels on standing
but the gel structure is easily broken by mild agitation or by simply shaking in the
original container. The degree of gelling is no indication of solids content.
Diluted “Aquadag” may be applied by brushing, swabbing, spraying or dipping. It is an advantage to
pre-warm the surface to be coated in order to ensure rapid drying. Surfaces to be treated should be
completely degreased. Wetting is improved by the addition of a wetting agent or by preheating of the
Unit 7, M11 Business Link
Parsonage Lane, Stansted
Essex, UK CM24 8GF
t: +44 (0)1279 813519
f: +44 (0)1279 815106
e: sales@agarscientific.com
w: www.agarscientific.com
Agar Scientific is a brand name of Elektron Technology UK Ltd.
Registered Address: Elektron Technology UK Ltd, Broers Building, JJ Thomson Ave, Cambridge, CB3 0FA, UK.
Registered in the UK: 4949934 VAT Number: GB 823 5842 25
Page 3 of 4
surface. The maximum addition recommended for most applications is 2% by weight of the diluted
product.
FILAMENT WIRE DRAWING
Tungsten and molybdenum wire is coated with “Aquadag” suitably diluted, and is then heated to bake
the graphite on to the wire and raise the wire to the drawing temperature. The graphite coating will
lubricate even at red heat, thus preserving the size and finish of the tungsten carbide or diamond
dies.
TREATMENT OF EXTRUSION, FORGING AND DIECASTING DIES
Pre-treatment
“Aquadag”, diluted with approximately 10 parts of distilled or soft water should be applied to the clean
hot die by brushing, spraying, dipping or swabbing. When dry the coating is buffed with a felt buff
until a highly burnished surface is obtained.
Lubrication in service
“Aquadag”, diluted with up to 100 parts of soft water should be applied, preferably by spray. The
dilution ration depends upon the operating temperature of the dies and other factors.
ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTING COATINGS
“Aquadag”, the original Acheson conducting coating, is a very useful general purpose material for this
group of applications. Coatings formed with “Aquadag” are suitable for electrostatic screening, as
electrodes in many types of electronic and allied equipment such as dose meters, ionisation
chambers and Geiger counters and for the prevention of corona discharge at sir gaps adjacent to
stressed dielectric materials.
The electrical characteristics of the coating vary according to the degree of dilution of the
concentrate, the method of application and the heat treatment given to the coating. The following
figures are quoted as a guide:
“Aquadag” diluted 1 : 1 with water and applied by brush
Air dried coating approx. 800 ohms per square
Heated 200C approx. 500 ohms per square
Heated 300C approx. 20-30 ohms per square
The resistance of an applied coating may be reduced up to one third by polishing. The addition of a
wetting agent will also noticeably reduce the resistance of the “Aquadag” coating. The maximum
addition recommended is 2% by weight of the diluted product.
Unit 7, M11 Business Link
Parsonage Lane, Stansted
Essex, UK CM24 8GF
t: +44 (0)1279 813519
f: +44 (0)1279 815106
e: sales@agarscientific.com
w: www.agarscientific.com
Agar Scientific is a brand name of Elektron Technology UK Ltd.
Registered Address: Elektron Technology UK Ltd, Broers Building, JJ Thomson Ave, Cambridge, CB3 0FA, UK.
Registered in the UK: 4949934 VAT Number: GB 823 5842 25
Page 4 of 4
Other ‘dag’ dispersions of graphite and silver are also available for particular electrical and electronic
Applications.
PRECAUTIONS
“Aquadag” should be stored in a cool place and should not be allowed to freeze.
Containers should be tightly re-sealed after use in order to prevent loss of ammonia
vapour – added to prevent bacterial growth.
