Innovation for magnet wire lubrication

The paper offers an overview of conventional and new methods for magnet wire lubrication. Progress has been made with yarn lubrication of enamelled wires. It has been adapted to all magnet wire sizes and special applications such as hermetic motors and sealed relays. Because of the low cost, the direct application of wax melt with felts or polishing systems finds particular interest in the magnet wire industry. The different dosage systems are discussed. Further, the application of water emulsions of wax are used under industrial conditions and further progress in applying paraffins from the vapor phase is reported. Finally the internal lubrication of wire enamels offers the possibility to reduce air pollution. These developments indicate that the European target to reduce the emissions of the magnet wire industry by 60% of the 1988 value by the year 2002 is realistic.