Various Advantages of Using Tungsten Disulfide on Machines

Tungsten Disulfide

Friction is a major hindrance in running machines, which can be overcome only lubricating the movable machine parts. Proper lubrication helps the machine to move smoothly even under higher temperatures or pressures when maximum friction is faced. Tungsten disulfide (WS2) is a chemical compound preferred widely as a dry lubricant. It forms a dry film of coating over surfaces that are much more stable and effective than oil or grease.  The WS2 coating helps in reducing the normal frictional force existing between any two surfaces, which hinder their sliding against each other. 

Causes that prompt to use tungsten disulfide as lubricant 

The friction coefficient of WS2 ranges between 0.03 for dynamic friction and 0.07 for static friction. This low friction coefficient is the main reason for preferring it as a lubricant on industrial machines.

The use of WS2 helps in preventing carbon build up, which is mainly caused by frictional forces against movements of the machine. In this matter, WS2 is found to be better than other dry lubricants, like MoS2, Teflon, and graphite.

The dry film of WS2 can withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -460 degrees F to 1200 degrees F. It can also work under a huge pressure up to 10,000 PSI, which is exerted on a machine by the load it has to bear.

A coating of WS2 can prevent mechanical seizing, fretting, and galling of machine surfaces. It also reduces the necessity of occasional contact welding to renew the worn-out joints or replacement of machine parts. Thus, the maintenance cost and time of machines can be decreased due to this coating.

Due to the chemical inertness of WS2, it is compatible to use with other oils or grease without showing any adverse effect. It creates a hydrodynamic layer over a substrate, to maintain the boundary of fluid flow close to it.

It is very easy to apply a coating of WS2 over machine surfaces, as the process does not demand heating or bake out for removal of adsorbed moisture. No chemical binder is also needed to keep this chemical strongly associated with the substrate, as it binds directly with the substrate layer.

The non-toxic nature of WS2 is another reason for choosing this dry lubricant, as it does not affect health of workers operating coated machines.