Even between highly loaded stationary surfaces the lamellar structure is able to prevent contact. In the direction of motion the lamellas easily shear over each other resulting in a low friction. Large particles best perform on relative rough surfaces at low speed, finer particle on relative smooth surface and higher speeds.

Other components that are useful solid lubricants include boron nitride, polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE), talc, calcium fluoride, cerium fluoride and tungsten disulfide.

Typical applications
Graphite
Molybdenum Disulfide
Boron Nitride
PTFE
Application Methods
Self lubricating composites
 

• reciprocating motion. A typical application is a sliding or reciprocating motion that requires lubrication to minimize wear as for example in gear and chain lubrication. Liquid lubricants will squeezed out while solid lubricants don't escape and prevent for fretting corrosion and galling.
• ceramics. Another application is for cases where chemically active lubricant additives have not been found for a particular surface, such as polymers and ceramics.
• high temperature. Graphite and MoS2 exhibit high temperature and oxidizing atmosphere environments, whereas liquid lubricants typically will not survive. A typical application include fasteners which are easily tightened and unscrewed after a long stay at high temperatures.
• extreme contact pressures. The lamellar structure orient parallel to the sliding surface resulting in high bearing-load combined with a low shear stress. Most applications in metal forming that involve plastic deformation will utilize solid lubricants.

Graphite is structurally composed of planes of polycyclic carbon atoms that are hexagonal in orientation. The distance of carbon atoms between planes is longer and therefore the bonding is weaker.

Graphite is best suited for lubrication in a regular atmosphere. Water vapor is a necessary component for graphite lubrication. The adsorption of water reduces the bonding energy between the hexagonal planes of the graphite to a lower level than the adhesion energy between a substrate and the graphite. Because water vapor is a requirement for lubrication, graphite is not effective in vacuum. In an oxidative atmosphere graphite is effective at high temperatures up to 450ºC continuously and can withstand much higher temperature peaks. The thermal conductivity of graphite is generally low ~1.3 W/mK at 40ºC.

Graphite is characterized by two main groups: natural and synthetic. Synthetic graphite is a high temperature sintered product and is characterized by its high purity of carbon (99.5-99.9%). The primary grade synthetic graphite can approach the good lubricity of quality natural graphite.

Natural graphite is derived from mining. The quality of natural graphite varies as a result of the ore quality and post mining processing of the ore. The end product is graphite with a content of carbon (high grade graphite 96-98% carbon), sulfur, SiO2 and Ash. The higher the carbon content and the degree of graphitization (high crystalline) the better the lubricity and resistance to oxidation.

For applications where only a minor lubricity is needed and a more thermally insulating coating is required, then amorphous graphite would be chosen (80% carbon).

Free powders: Dry-powder tumbling is an effective application method. The bonding can be improved by priory phosphating the substrate. Use of free powders has its limitations, since adhesion of the solid particles to the substrate is usually insufficient to provide any service life in continuous applications. However, to improve running-in conditions or in metal forming processes a short duration of the improved slide conditions may suffice.

AF-coatings: Anti-friction coatings are "lubricating paints" consisting of fine particles of lubricating pigments, such as molydisulfide, PTFE or graphite, blended with a binder. After application and proper curing, these lubricants bond to the metal surface and form a dark gray solid film. Many dry film lubricants also contain special rust inhibitors which offer exceptional corrosion protection. Most long wearing films are of the bonded type but are still restricted to applications where sliding distances are not too long. AF-coatings are applied where fretting and galling is a problem (such as splines, universal joints and keyed bearings), where operating pressures exceed the load-bearing capacities of ordinary oils and greases, where smooth running in is desired (piston, camshaft), where clean operation is desired (AF-coatings will not collect dirt and debris like greases and oils), where parts may be stored for long periods of time.