Militec-1 - Overview

Thermaltek Pty Ltd are Importers & Distributors of Militec-1 in Australia. Militec-1 is a specially formulated metal conditioner offering a unique friction reducing technology having no known competitors anywhere in the world.

All known attempts to "reverse engineer" Militec-1 have failed. Militec-1 has been in use in the USA for sixteen years, and the history of its development makes interesting reading. Adaptive Molecular Technologies Inc. (AMT)*, in the USA are the exclusive owners of Militec-1.

Militec's products are supreme in the reduction of the metallic friction that causes some of the most destructive and expensive failures that occur in mechanical engineering, and imposes high costs on the operations of many industries. Much unnecessary maintenance cost is neither identified nor even known to senior management who may simply accept it as an inevitable part of normal operations when, in fact, it can be reduced, often substantially. Companies frequently do not recognise the true impact that plant breakdowns have upon their profits.

The Need For Militec-1

Friction and gravity are central factors of life, and are particularly significant in the functioning of metal components that move in close contact with each other, and both can confer constructive and destructive qualities.

The wheel was a fundamental invention that has made a fundamental contribution to human endeavours throughout time, by enabling heavy loads to be transported easily, and permitting huge distances to be traveled with reasonable economy. Friction and gravity are inextricably related, and a great deal of effort and money is constantly devoted to directing, controlling and repairing their adverse effects.

Reducing the negative effects of metallic friction by even a small amount, can lead to significant improvements in the performance of mechanical systems, and produce cost reductions that greatly enhance economic efficiency and operating profits.

The well-used criterion for judging the economic merit of using a product, is the ratio of the financial benefits it confers compared to the cost of buying it, and Militec-1 has an excellent record in this regard. Of course, actual ratios vary with the type of applications it is used for, but as an example, a recent trial completed by a Western Australia company extruding heavy, dense materials, showed an annual rate of cost saving of $17,500 per extruder gearbox, for a Militec-1 cost of $2,998. A cost-benefit of 5.8:1 or 583 per cent. Extrapolation of this saving to gearboxes in general can yield important economic benefits in very many applications.

In some cases, the running-cost savings show only part of the overall benefit achieved, because as explained above, the cost of output lost through breakdowns is not always known, and Militec-1 commonly reduces the frequency of breakdowns.

Friction and weight are integral factors causing damage when contacting metallic surfaces move one against the other, and it is here where friction shows its worst characteristic, causing metals in moving contact to generate heat and wear. On the other hand, without friction, the road wheels of transport vehicles would not turn at all, because their turning motion is dependent upon friction that exists between wheels and the ground.

However, the down force and friction between axles and wheel bearings cause wear and generate heat that wastes energy. Bearings and axles therefore need to be serviced or replaced regularly, requiring equipment to be taken out of service while repairs and servicing are carried out, causing loss of production and reducing the profitability of productive operations.

Friction in gearboxes and mechanical transmission systems can lead to expensive plant breakdowns. Such problems are often thought by non-technical management to result from poor quality maintenance, but before the arrival of Militec-1, many of these problems could not be avoided reliably by conventional preventative maintenance routines.

A very good example of the adverse impact that friction has on the Australian economy occurs in the mining industry. During 2001 the journal, "Australian Surface Mining Equipment & Technology", reported that maintenance related costs account for about one-third of the total extraction costs in Australian open pit mines. They also account for 30 - 50% of direct mining costs.

It is well known that internal combustion engine performance is also severely reduced by friction and weight, causing engines to operate at efficiencies often below 40 per cent, so that more than 60 per cent of the fuel used is totally wasted! and pollutes the environment. Militec-1 generally reduces engine noise and transmission losses in addition to improving fuel consumption, lowering running temperatures and diminishing exhaust emissions.

The Performance Of Militec-1

Militec-1 is a metal surface-conditioning agent available as oil and grease. When Militec- 1 comes into contact with metals at a temperature of 66°C or more, depending upon operating conditions, the metal surfaces undergo a change chemically known as Physical Adsorption that renders them far smoother than untreated surfaces, and reduces friction coefficients considerably. Militec also contains anticorrosive agents that reduce the creation of rust and other oxidants that erode metals and
generate damaging sludges.

The Militec adsorbed surface has considerable durability, remaining part of the metal even through oil changes, and has to be worn away before more Militec-1 is needed. In industrial equipment, some Militec-1 treated surfaces can be effective for many thousands of hours. There are various monitoring methods that enable the re-treatment time to be determined.

Militec-1 has enjoyed spectacular success and is well regarded in haulage; domestic, industrial and racing automotives; military and marine operations; printing; brewing; agriculture, general processing and production industries, as well as in the exploration, extraction and processing of ores and minerals where it offers significant cost benefits.

Not An Oil Additive

A major impediment to the initial acceptance of Militec-1 has been that when used in internal combustion engines it is added to engine oil in order to allow it to reach hot metallic areas, CAUSING SOME PEOPLE TO LOOK UPON IT AS AN "OIL ADDITIVE", WHICH IT IS NOT !

Oil additives are manufactured products that claim to confer all manner of benefits to internal combustion engines. Such products have been available for several decades, many of them of little value, and some even harmful because they can modify and reduce the performance of lubricating oils. Others also contain solid particles, such as PTFE, that can agglomerate with other substances and clog critical engine components.

Oil additives have developed a widely known, poor image causing many people to resist the use of Militec-1 initially. Militec, however, does not alter the characteristics, qualities or performance of lubricating oils because the oil is used simply as a means of delivering Militec to the hot surfaces and allowing it, together with heat, to induce the chemical reaction that creates physical adsorption. Provided Militec-1 is used in appropriate quantities, it becomes entirely consumed in the process, leaving no residual trace, and Militech-1 does not contain any solid particulates.

Some Benefits

Has reduced exhaust fumes by up to 80% from petrol and diesel engines, fulfilling the stringent Californian atmospheric emission requirements for road vehicles.

Reduces mechanical wear, running temperatures and engine noise. Improves fuel consumption, commonly by at least 8% (the fuel has to overcome less friction and is therefore required to do less work, hence a fuel saving).

Allows engines to continue running reliably for some time after they have lost sump oil
and /or cooling water.

Some Known Uses

The US Navy uses Militec-1 in nuclear submarines and other sea-going vessels, in weapons systems and diving air compressors The US defence, security and protective agencies (e.g., Secret Service, FBI, CIA, White House Guards and Air Marshals) use Militec to reduce weapons jamming Very large marine engines including those of deep-draft ocean oil carriers.

Mining and drilling operations where machinery and tool life can be extended when operating in harsh terrain with obdurate mineral inclusions Engineering workshops where the life of cutting tools is extended and the cutting of difficult materials becomes easier

• Caterpillar Dozers
• Agricultural Machinery
• Stone cutting and drilling machinery
• Air compressors, etc.

Further Information

Militec-1 metal conditioner is in use and on trial by Australian based companies in a variety of applications. There is a collection of test reports and other data available from this website.

* "MILITEC-1 & MILITEC and Design" are Trademarks of AMT In, USA.

 

Download more information about Militec-1 (PDF - 100kb)
Download the Surface Testing Document (PDF - 457kb)
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