help.........train won't blow smoke - Classic Toy Trains Magazine

• Member since
  January 2003
• From: Frankfort, Kentucky
• 1,758 posts

Posted by ben10ben on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 9:02 PM Smoke fluid falls under the category of "mineral oil", which is a step up in molecular size from lubricating oil, or "light petroleum distillates". Most lubricating oils are C12-C16(that's the number of carbon atoms per molecule), and mineral oils are generally C16-C20. The larger the molecules, the higher the intermolecular forces, which mean higher vaporization points, and higher viscosity. In other words, the light petroleum distilates that make up 3-in-1 oil have a lower vaporization point that the mineral oils that make up smoke fluid.

Ben TCA 09-63474