Nylatron® GS Molybdenum disulphide filled nylon
Hopefully, that got your attention. Bear with me for a couple of paragraphs, and I'll explain.
A few weeks ago, I got a treasure trove of 15-25 year-old XS650 ephemera. Among the items was this sheet of paper:
It's been posted here before. Credit to Goran Perrson of New Zealand, who I guess was the originator.
Note that he spec'd Nylon Molybdenum Disulphide Rod.
There was another copy of the drawing that had hand-written notes on it.
Finally, there was this invoice. Couple things of interest to note. The drawing is dated December, 2004. The invoice is from 6 months later, June 2005.
Also note that the handwritten notes, and the invoice, specify 1-1/4" rod. Unnecessary. What you want, is 1" rod, which is what GLJ has been using.
https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=26469&catid=668
U. S. Plastics still sells it, and the part number is still the same as on the invoice, 47837 for 1-1/4" rod. Price has gone up from $5.10 per foot to $12.44 per foot for the 1-1/4".
I have used Delrin for this very purpose, as a drive chain rub block, and is excellent. But after noting that Nylon MDS (Molybdenum Disulphide) was originally spec'd, I had to do some research.
https://www.emcoplastics.com/acetal... is a type of,Excellent dimensional stability
As the above explains, Delrin is actually Acetal. Delrin is DuPont's Acetal. Acetron is Mitsubishi's Acetal. They are pretty much the same, and cost pretty much the same. I write this so that we can compare apples to apples.
https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=26468&catid=668
1" diameter Nylon MDS is $7.40 per foot from U. S. Plastics.
https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=27722
1" diameter Acetron (Delrin) is $9.47 per foot from U. S. Plastics.
I checked another supplier. Nylon MDS is cheaper than Delrin. But, it's not about cost. It's about performance.
Delrin and Nylon MDS are almost identical on the Rockwell scale.
Nylon MDS has a higher melting point: 225°F versus 180°F for Delrin -- I think this is relevant in a friction application, such as ours.
Quoting the interweb here:
"The addition of particles of molybdenum disulfide enhances the surface lubricity and wear resistance over unfilled Nylon. In applications requiring high lubricity, this material may also offer additional property enhancements."
In summation: I would like to test and compare a Nylon MDS chain guard if GLJ will make it for me.
GLJ -- sending you a PM.