Boelube (Orelube) solid and paste lubricants
Where to buyWhat it is. Synthetic machining lubricants made by Orelube under licence for the Boeing specification. They come as solid sticks (such as 70200), pastes (such as 70305 and 70307) and liquid.
What it is for. Drilling, tapping, reaming and milling aluminium and other aerospace alloys, usually as minimum quantity lubrication (MQL): a thin film on the bit instead of a flood of coolant.
How it is used. Rub the stick or paste on the bit or hole and drill; do not flood. Feeds and speeds come from the drilling guide and the SRM. The drill speed calculator and drill guide cover the bit side.
Life and cure. Not a curing product. The 70305 paste has a melt range of 32 to 43 C (90 to 110 F) (distributor listing), so it softens in a warm shop. Boelube Liquid use is about 1 oz (30 mL) per hour of machining (Orelube list).
Safety. The 70305 listing gives VOC under 0.1 %. Read the SDS of the exact grade.
Specification. The 70307 sheet lists approvals including Boeing process specifications, Bombardier BAMS 569-001 Rev B and a Dassault qualification for drilling aluminium. Grades differ; check which your aircraft maker accepts.
Equivalents. Other lubricants with the same approval may be accepted. The SRM or process spec says.
Cutting fluids and general lubricants
What it is. Water-soluble coolants and cutting oils used in shops. We read no public aerospace sheet for these.
What it is for. Machining with flood or mist coolant.
How it is used. Per the shop's process.
Life and cure. Per the product.
Safety. Per the SDS; residue on parts that will be bonded or painted must be removed.
Specification. Per the shop's approvals.
Equivalents. Not with Boelube without approval.
Clean the lubricant off before sealing or painting
Lubricant residue stops sealant, primer and adhesive from bonding. Remove it with the solvent wipe the SRM calls for before conversion coat, primer or sealant (cleaning solvents), and deburr before cleaning. AC 43.13-1B wants every rivet hole surface-treated and primed before assembly (par. 6-134e).
Questions people actually ask
Do I need lubricant to drill aluminium?
Not always. Many repairs drill dry; where the SRM or process calls for a lubricant, use the one named.
Why does the paste go soft?
The 70305 listing gives a melt range of 32 to 43 C.
Can I drill composites with Boelube?
Not on our evidence; composite drilling has its own rules in the composites guide.
Limits — when NOT to use this
What the sources support, and no further.
- Distributor and maker lists for Boelube; we did not read a full Orelube data sheet for every grade.
- No feeds or speeds here.
- Approvals are those listed on the 70307 sheet.
Where to buy
Distributors coming soon.
Sources
- Orelube, Boelube 70307 Blue (Medium) Lubricant Paste, technical data sheet — Aerospace approvals listed for drilling aluminium.
- Boelube 70305 (distributor listing) — Paste: melt range 32 to 43 C, insoluble in water, VOC under 0.1 %. Distributor listing.
- Orelube BOE Liquids product list v10 — Boelube Liquid usage about 1 oz per hour of machining.
- FAA AC 43.13-1B CHG 1, Chapter 6 (corrosion control, safety precautions, finishes) — Pars. 6-90 (safety precautions), 6-134 to 6-136 (finish, conversion coat, 48 hour rule, fasteners), section 4 (corrosion preventive maintenance, MIL-C-16173 Grade 4); par. 5-63 (cleaner types).