Dry lubricants, bonded coatings and sliding films
Dry lubricants are used wherever the usage of conventional lubricants such as greases, oils or pastes is not possible or is not desirable.
Dry lubricants — the alternative for special application cases
Dry lubricants are used wherever the usage of conventional lubricants such as greases, oils or pastes is not possible or is not desirable. As high-performance lubricants they avoid surface damage. They ensure reliable and maintenance-free continuous lubrication of machine elements subjected to high stress. In addition they allow easy mounting of screw threaded connections.
Dry lubricants can be classified into:
- Powdery solid lubricants
- Ceraceous sliding films
- Solid-content bonded coatings
Solid lubricants (such as MoS2, graphite or PTFE) are substances that, thanks to their structure and properties, are able to form separating films between surfaces, alone or in combination with other lubricants.
Structure of bonded coatings and sliding films
Bonded coatings are suspensions of solid lubricants – very small-sized particles contained in an inorganic or organic binder. Sliding films, on the other hand, are based on waxes as the separating substance. The choice of binder (usually resins) determines the operating temperature, the surface binding, hardness and abrasion resistance of a bonded coating layer, its chemical stability as well as the application procedure to be used.
To enable distribution of the bonded coating/sliding film a solvent that evaporates during the drying time is added. It dissolves the binder in the bonded coating or respectively the wax in a sliding film. The share of the solvent influences the coating, the viscosity as well as the suitability of the bonded coating/sliding film for specific application methods. Depending on the type of binder, both aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons as well as water are used as the solvent.
Purpose | Bonded Coating | Oil, grease, paste |
---|---|---|
Vacuum |
Very good |
Almost impossible |
High temperature |
Good |
Unfavourable, viscosity-specific |
High temperature |
Very good |
Not suitable due to evaporation losses |
Low speed |
Low influence |
Bad |
High speed |
Limited |
Good, hydrodynamic |
Combustibility |
None in cured film |
Often high |
Ionising radiation |
Good tolerance |
Bad tolerance |
Environmental risk |
Very low |
Difficult disposal |
Soiling |
Low |
Creep processes |
Relubrication |
Not possible |
Possible |
Solid lubricant | MoS2 | Graphite | PTFE |
---|---|---|---|
Colour | Black | Black | Transparent/white |
Operating temp. (°C) |
-180 to +450 |
-35 to +600 |
-180 to +260 |
Adhesion on metal |
+ |
- |
- |
Electr. conductivity |
- - |
+ |
- - |
Chemical stability |
- |
+ | - |
Vorteile |
|
|
|
Advantages |
Moderate |
Moderate | good |
Mode of action of bonded coatings and sliding films
Bonded coatings prevent direct contact of material surfaces in the micro range with surface roughnesses from 5 to 10 µm. The rich supply of solid lubricants in bonded coatings furthermore reduces the risk of initial damage to the material surfaces in tribocontact.
In addition, bonded coatings ensure a working parting film between the coated surfaces from the very beginning of the movement at machine parts that reach only low speeds under high loads or execute oscillating movements.
Coating with a sliding film, on the other hand, has the purpose of achieving a consistent coefficient of sliding friction for reliable mounting of screw threaded connections. In addition, bonded coatings / sliding films can also be used as corrosion protection, anti-creak and anti-stick coating. Careful selection of suitable solid lubricants, binders and additives allow the development and manufacturing of tailor-made bonded coatings/sliding films for a wide range of industrial applications. Thus, for example, OKS also develops low-solvent and water-dilutable bonded coatings and sliding films in order to fulfil the increasing demands in the field of environment and labour protection.
Processing of bonded coatings and sliding films
OKS bonded coatings./.sliding films are suitable for a wide variety of materials such as metals, plastics and elastomers. A decisive factor for the high durability of a bonded coating./.sliding film coating is the preparatory treatment of the surfaces and the selection of the application technique. An OKS bonded coating./.sliding film is durable under observance of the preparatory treatment and coating instructions.
Coating is carried out after thorough degreasing of the metal surfaces either through immersion, spraying or painting. The dry hard-grip layer is between 10 and 20 µm thick. It has good adhesion, resists high pressure loads, is resistant to soiling and is characterised by high chemical stability and temperature compatibility up to a maximum of 600 °C, depending on the product.
The use of drum and centrifugal systems is advisable for the mass coating of small parts, such as screws, with a sliding film.
Immersion and centrifugation |
Spraying | Painting | |
---|---|---|---|
A |
|
|
|
D i s a d v a n t a g e s |
|
|
|
Examples of use
Fitting parts, fastening elements, seals, anchors, springs, positive-locking connections, pivoting bearings, threaded spindles, slideways, friction bearings, sliding disks, chain parts, rocker levers, bearing bolts, metal profiles, metal forming, rivets, screws, nuts, switch cams, clamping sleeves, retaining pawls, chipboard screws, hinges, metal fittings, lock parts, shafts, gearwheels.
Bonded coatings are increasingly being used in the commodity goods sector.
Advantages of bonded coating lubrication (depending on type)
- Dry long lasting lubrication without oil and grease
- Full lubrication effect even after long standstill periods
- Extreme pressure resistance
- Not sensitive to dust, soiling, moisture and chemical influences
- Allows very low friction values with constant coefficients of friction
- High temperature resistance within a broad temperature range
- No evaporation losses and excellent adhesive strength
- Use in vacuum possible
- Chemical-physically stable and radiation resistant
- Effectiveness also at low sliding speeds
- Run-in aid for motor and gear components
- Creates emergency running properties
- Long-term corrosion protection
- Replacement for environmentally hazardous coatings
- Highly economical