drylubricant

Dry lubricant is a solid material designed to reduce friction and wear between two sliding surfaces in the absence of liquid lubricants. It forms a thin, adherent film that remains on contact surfaces during motion, enabling smoother operation and longer life in dry or vacuum environments. Common dry lubricants include layered materials such as graphite and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2); others comprise fluorinated polymers like PTFE (Teflon), boron nitride, and tungsten disulfide. These materials are chosen for their low shear strength between layers, chemical stability, and ability to function at high temperatures or under clean-room conditions.

Performance depends on the material and the environment. Graphite and MoS2 excel in dry, inert conditions and in vacuum, with MoS2 often preferred for space mechanisms. PTFE-based lubricants offer very low friction at room temperature but may have limited load-carrying capacity and can degrade under extended high-temperature exposure. Some dry films are applied as coatings or sprays that cure into a solid film, while powders can be applied with binders to form a self-lubricating surface.

Applications include bearings, gears, seals, sliders, and vacuum equipment in aerospace, automotive, and industrial settings. They are advantageous where liquid lubricants are impractical, such as in sealed or evacuated spaces, high temperatures, or clean environments, but they may require surface preparation and periodic inspection, and performance can be material- and load-dependent.