Dry Lubricant – Optimal Choice For Lubricating Metal Parts In Various Machine Types

Dry Lubricant

Industries need the best lubricating mechanism to keep various heavy duty machineries in top working condition. Out of the many types of lubricants available, an important one are the dry types. These solid varieties are very useful in making machines work optimally. They can be easily applied to various metal components of the machine so that they don’t succumb to the wear out caused by friction.

Why Make Use Of A Dry Lubricant?

A dry lubricant is also called solid lubricant and it is much preferred for use over petroleum-based oils because they are very environmentally friendly. They can be used without worry about toxic quality affecting health. They can also easily degrade into the environment which makes them better to sue over ones that cannot do so. These types of lubricants are preferred for use under certain circumstances such as:

• Oil and grease cannot be used as they will not survive the operating environment conditions

• When the temperature is too high or load is too much for a semi-solid lubricants to be utilized

• Dust and dirt particles are in the environment in large numbers and so using oil or grease for lubrication is not possible

Some of the important dry lubricants available include graphite, boric acid, molybdenum disulfide, tungsten disulfide and much more. The typical way in which they are applied is by either mixing with a fatty oil or else directly on to the sliding surface. The qualities of a dry lubricant make it work in the same way as liquid lubricants in reducing friction when sliding parts work. They are very slippery in nature and make up of tiny particles, extracted from natural minerals and made from synthetic processes. They are most suitable for use in applications where the presence of dirt and dust is not tolerated as it will lead to malfunctioning and disruption for operations.

A dry lubricant can also be mixed with alcohol, water and other types of solvent to create a spray which can be easily applied on desired surfaces for the purpose of lubrication and protection against various sizes that can affect their normal functioning. In the aviation and aerospace industry, they find specific applications because it is not possible to make use of traditional oils and greases. Such lubricants are not able to show optimal performance due to the extreme operating conditions, which demand the use of a dry lubricant as it is able to tolerate it very well.