Why solid lubricants?
Lubricants reduce friction and wear between contacting surfaces. Oil and grease are the most common liquid lubricants. Solid lubricants, on the other hand, are preferred when liquid lubricants are impractical, such as in aerospace applications and cleanrooms, on miniature components and maintenance-free devices, in ultra-high vacuum, for intermittent or long-term storage and in high-load conditions. Solid lubricants also handle extreme temperature, pressure, radiation and reactive environments. Solid lubricants can be used either as a dry powder, a coating or an additive to fluid lubricants. Their use is steadily increasing in response to market demands for improved lubricants. Common solid lubricants are layered compoundsgraphite, molybdenum disulfide and tungsten disulfide. Molecular layers reduce friction by sliding past each other under load (see Figure 1). But layered compounds have drawbacks. The chemically reactive layer edges slowly decompose, fracture and bind to metal surface
Related Questions
- Are the chemical additives sold at mass-merchandisers, grocery stores, and drug stores considered to be solid lubricants?
- What is the difference between Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2) and Teflon (PTFE) in terms of Solid Lubricants?
- What is the difference between Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2) and Graphite in terms of Solid Lubricants?
