An introduction to low friction coating

October 2022

Low friction coatings provide dry film lubrication where liquid lubricants could fail or are simply impractical. Suitable for a variety of substrates including most metals, plastic and ceramic they provide low coefficient of friction to mating surfaces reducing wear, galling, and heat generation on components that can cause increased running and maintenance costs, machine downtime and operational limitations.

When applied as a thin, dry surface coating, PTFE and other low friction coatings provides the optimum balance of low friction, hardness and durability. Performance can also be enhanced by the addition of fillers to the formulation.

Thermally cured and bonded to the base material, low friction coatings provide a cleaner and more efficient solutions than grease, oils and traditional lubricants, although, they can also be used to provide secondary lubrication in the event of failure of conventional lubricants if required.

Low friction coatings are suitable for tight tolerance parts with a coating thickness of only 10-20 microns.

Dry film low friction coatings are durable and long lasting, offering many advantages over traditional lubricants.

Key features are:

Outstanding lubrication
High load carrying capacity
Corrosion resistance
Low Friction
Non-stick
Cryogenically Stable
Chemical Resistance
Hydrophobic
High wear resistance
Good resistance to oil, grease and solvents
Wide temperature operating range: from (-250° to 285°C)

Typical applications include:

Piston rings and tappets
Saw blades
Engine internals including pistons & transmission housing
Bearings and hydraulic parts
Rubber O rings
Dog combs
Chutes
Locking components, sliding and oscillating parts
Sub-sea hardware
Fasteners and threaded components
Ball valves
Sliding and rotating systems
Wind turbines
Oil field connectors and coupling

To find out more about our low friction coatings or to discuss your requirements, contact one of our sales engineers