Advantages and disadvantages of solid lubricants

A lubricant is a substance in the form of solid or liquid, that helps machine easily and smoothly. It is used to reduce the friction between two contact surfaces. Solid lubricant is also called dry lubricant. Graphite, Molybdenum disulfide, and Solvents are some of the popular solid lubricants. There are many advantages and disadvantages of solid lubricants. You can check and understand more about solid lubricants here in this article. 

Advantages of solid lubricants

1. Solid lubricants are highly stable in high-temperature and high-pressure environments. 
2. Solid lubricants provide permanent lubrication with no leakages. 
3. It is good boundary lubrication and it has good electrical conductivity. 
4. It enables the machine to be simple and lighter because no seals or lubrication distribution system is required. 
5. Solid lubricants are more effective as compared with liquid lubricants when there is high loading at contact points. 
6. It offers benefits at locations where servicing is difficult. 
7. High resistance to abrasion in high-dust environment. 
8. High resistance to deterioration in high radiation and reactive environment. 
9. Lubrication loss is minimal in a solid lubrication system. 
10. You can easily store solid lubricants for a long time. 
11. No viscosity effects when we use solid lubricants, thus it provides corrosion protection. 

Disadvantages of solid lubricants

1. The endurance life of this lubricant is dependent on operating conditions such as atmosphere, loading contact, and sliding speed. 
2. Solid lubricants have poor adhesion, poor heat dissipation, and poor self-healing properties.
3. It can produce unpredictable torque at low speeds due to the heavy transfer of these lubricants.  
4. Solid lubricants have a higher coefficient of friction and wear for hydrodynamic lubrication. 
5. The reapplication of solid lubrication is difficult or impossible.