Solid film lubricants - The dry lubrication

Increased automation in production and assembly makes dry lubricants increasingly important. They provide dry and efficient lubrication for many components and, compared to conventional grease or oil lubrication, they allow for simpler designs. They assist in the running-in of heavy machine elements, simplify installation and in many cases guarantee maintenance-free lifetime lubrication.

Our dry lubricants work in many areas and are an optimal solution for dry and clean lubrication. In addition to a wide range of coating products, including bonded coatings and screw waxes, we also have coating service solutions in our portfolio.

We offer the following services in our Coating Center in Kungsbacka:

solid film lubricant coating
individual coating solutions
sample coating

Our specialists ensure that the right dry lubricant is selected for each material and application and that it is applied correctly - reliably, on time and economically.

This is how a coating process works for you:

1. Consultation and solution

Together we go through your specific needs and find a solution that suits you and your business.

2. Coating process

The coating is done at our state of the art facility in Kungsbacka. Usually this takes 5-7 days.

3. On-Site testing and validation

The coated products are sent to you for testing in your environment to make sure everything works as intended.

4. Partnership

After a successful process, we hope that you will continue working together with FUCHS, where you have access to support from our experts.

Industrial application of solid film lubricants

Solid film lubricants are used in many different industrial applications, for the coating of metallic parts or for use on elastomers and plastics

SOLID FILM LUBRICANTS FOR METALS

Solid film lubricants can be used on metallic components in almost all industrial sectors. Major users are above all the automotive industry, mechanical engineering and the bolt and screw industry.

With regard to the functionality of the solid film lubricant, a distinction is essentially made between a coating with lifetime lubrication, running-in lubrication or a pure assembly aid.

In addition to the optimisation of the coefficient of friction and wear, the demand for corrosion protection is frequently an important aspect where metallic components are concerned.

Coating of threaded connections

The friction coefficient of a threaded connection is extremely important for its function. The correct lubrication must already be taken into consideration when designing a threaded connection. The aim is to achieve the ideal tightening behaviour, i.e. the interaction between tightening torque and friction force, as well as the resulting clamping force. The tightening behaviour is usually tested on special screw test rigs. In addition to conventional lubrication with oils or greases, FUCHS offers numerous products from the field of lubricating films and solid film lubricants for the coating of threaded connections.

The use of solid film lubricants on threaded connections results in the following benefits:

specific adjustment of the coefficient of friction with low scattering range
dry, technically clean coating
wide operating temperature range
high resistance in contact with technical media
loosening of threaded connection after thermal load
repeated assembly
corrosion protection

Coating of metal components for lifetime lubrication

The individual components of many assemblies are no longer accessible for re-lubrication after installation or re-lubrication is generally not requested. In such cases, the solid film lubricant coating must function for the entire lifetime, either in continuous or in intermittent operation. In addition to the low coefficient of friction, an adequately high resistance of the solid film lubricant is then especially important. Such requirements apply, for example, to:

bolts
hinges
springs
lock components
magnetic anchors
shafts
bearing elements
spindles
pistons
disc springs

The suitability of a solid film lubricant for the lifetime lubrication of the component is often determined prior to its use, based on tribological test rig results as well as the customer”s special assembly test rig results. Using modern tribological test rigs the solid film lubricant coatings can be tested under different stresses, speeds, geometric fastening conditions and climatic conditions.

SOLID FILM LUBRICANTS FOR ELASTOMERS AND PLASTICS

Solid film lubricants for elastomer seals – clean and flexible

The necessity for lubricating seals (O-rings) for ease of assembly, as well as the reduction of friction in dynamic processes, is beyond question and in the past was primarily effected by classic lubricants (oils, greases). In recent years dry lubrication with solid film lubricants has acquired increasing significance in this field. Compared with conventional lubrication, the application of a solid film lubricant has above all the advantage that, by coating mass-produced parts, it is possible to dispense with the preliminary treatment (oiling, greasing), which is often carried out by hand, during installation of the component.

Easier assembly is no longer the only requirement on the solid film lubricant coating of O-rings. Subject to the application case, a coating must also fulfil various general conditions. In technical applications, such as in the automotive industry the coated O-ring frequently comes into contact with operating fluids. In other cases a coloured coating is required or the possibility of use in contact with drinking water or food.

Solid film lubricants for plastic parts – low-friction and noiseless

There are just as many possibilities to use solid film lubrication with plastics as there are in the coating of metals. For example, solid film lubricants reduce the assembly forces for plug-in connections in the furniture industry, they allow low-friction movements of plastic guides and protect switching mechanisms in household appliances against wear. In addition to their friction and wear-reducing properties, solid film lubricants from FUCHS on plastics also contribute to a reduction of noise. Especially in car interiors, material combinations of different materials such as plastics, elastomers or synthetic leather often generate noise due to vibration when driving as a consequence of so-called “stick-slip” phenomena. This can be eliminated in advance by the application of a solid film lubricant.

Solid film lubricants from FUCHS offer the ideal solution for elastomers and plastics

pre-coating of mass-produced small parts
dry and clean lubrication
separation during automated feeding thanks to non-stick effect
low assembly forces due to reduction of coefficient of friction
avoidance of damage during assembly
high resistance to wear and low coefficients of friction in use
noise minimisation for the most diverse material combinations
resistance to technical media
identification by coloured coating is possible

YOUR BENEFITS FROM OUR COATING SERVICE:

your components are protected against corrosion and wear
reduction of your costs due to reduced machine breakdowns and maintenance-free lifetime lubrication
noise reduction by avoiding stick-slip phenomenon
easier assembly and disassembly of fitting parts

SOLID FILM LUBRICANTS AND COATING SERVICE - WE DO BOTH!

From the selection of the suitable solid film lubricant to the application, quality control and delivery. We are your dedicated contact partner, providing you with everything you need from a single source.