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Dry film lubricants contain special pigments that reduce friction
and wear by preventing surface-to-surface contact between
mating parts (i.e., a shaft and its bearings). Performance
properties vary depending on the specific lubricating pigment
used. Some offer excellent lubrication and corrosion protection,
while others operate at high temperatures. Some are formulated
for use in extreme environments and can withstand nuclear
radiation.
Dry film lubrication provides a thin film (.0003"-.0005")
of resin with suitable lubricity pigments, such as molydisulfide,
PTFE, or graphite. They provide a tough, durable boundary
of solid film lubricant. DFLs have very low sheer strengths,
low coefficients of friction (.02-.08), and withstand loads
up to 250,000 psi. They are sprayed, dipped, or tumbled and
then thermally cured to permanently bond the coating to a
variety of different surfaces and substrates. Substrate material
can influence the performance of bonded film lubricant coatings.
Surface chemistry, texture, form, and mechanical properties
of the base materials have interacting roles with bonded film.
Specific coatings have been developed with surface preparations
and pretreatments for many base materials including: rubber,
plastic, glass, wood, zinc, aluminum, titanium, chromium,
nickel, copper, brass, stainless and other steels.
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