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RFQ

FAQ

Overview:

The following tabs contain some of the most common questions regarding Dicronite®, its performance, application and handling.

Can Dicronite® dry lubrication be used with other lubricants?
Yes. It is commonly used as a co-lubricant with oils, greases, and other lubricants.

Does Dicronite® dry lubrication provide more than just lubrication?
Yes. Beyond its very low coefficient of friction, Dicronite® dry lubrication reduces wear, particularly wear due to fretting or galling.

Does Dicronite® dry lubrication alter the electrical or magnetic properties of the substrate?
No.

Does Dicronite® dry lubrication function over a wide temperature range?
Yes. Dicronite® dry lubrication functions over a temperature range of -188°C (-306°F) to +538°C (+1000°F) and up to +1316°C (+2400°F) in a vacuum.

Is Dicronite® dry lubrication biocompatible?
Yes. It has been tested and complies with ISO-10993-5 and United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Class 6. It is also gamma ray, ethylene oxide, and autoclave sterilization stable.

Has Dicronite® dry lubrication been approved for use in food handling and processing equipment?
Yes. Application specific approvals have been received from both the United States Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Can Dicronite® dry lubrication be applied to any ferrous or nonferrous metallic substrate?
Yes. Dicronite® dry lubrication can be applied over other substrates, including most plastics and ceramics.

Does Dicronite® dry lubrication affect the surface finish of the substrate?
No. Being maximum 0.5 micron’s thick, Dicronite® dry lubrication reflects the underlying surface finish.

Are these limitations relating to finishes or coating beneath Dicronite® dry lubrication?
No. Dicronite® dry lubrication functions well and is often used in combination with other coatings such as TiN, CrN, CrC or Nickel.

Can Dicronite® dry lubrication be applied in soft-soft, soft-hard, hard-hard, or any other variation with another coating?
Yes.

What standards does Dicronite® dry lubrication comply with?
Dicronite® dry lubrication complies with AMS2530.

What are the quality processes used?
Most Dicronite® dry lubrication facilities operate under an AS9100 Rev C, ISO 13485 and TS/ISO 16949 compliant quality system. Several are AS9100 certified and also NADCAP accredited. In addition, many facilities run customer-specific quality systems.

Are there performance data available to support specific applications?
Yes, there is a wide body of application/industry-specific data from independent laboratories (including NASA, the Canadian Space Agency, White Sands Test Facility and the University of California at Davis) available across many industries. Please contact your nearest facility for more information.

Is it possible to do application specific testing?
Yes. Please contact LSI or your nearest facility for more information.

Will Dicronite® dry lubrication interfere with precision tolerances?
No. The technology and carefully controlled application process result in Dicronite® dry lubrication’s 0.5 microns (0.000020”) maximum thickness. As such, it will not affect precision tolerances.

Is there a minimum surface finish for the substrate to accept Dicronite® dry lubrication?
No.

Does Dicronite® dry lubrication change the surface color?
Yes. Dicronite® dry lubrication will change the surface color to either a soft grey or grey tint depending on the underlying surface color.

Does Dicronite® dry lubrication affect the surface finish of the substrate?
No. Being maximum 0.5 microns thick, Dicronite® dry lubrication reflects the underlying the surface finish.

Does Dicronite® dry lubrication change the dimensions of the item?
No. Being maximum 0.5 microns thick, Dicronite® dry lubrication will not affect dimensional tolerances within typical precision machining limits.

Will Dicronite® dry lubrication interfere with precision tolerances?
No. The technology and carefully controlled application process result in Dicronite® dry lubrication’s 0.5 microns (0.000020”) maximum thickness. As such, it will not affect precision tolerances.

Can you apply Dicronite® dry lubrication to holes, inside diameters or inside surfaces?
Yes. Generally, for holes or inside diameters, there is a depth limitation of two times the diameter. For larger diameters, it may be possible to apply to a greater depth.

Is it possible to mask off or protect portions of the substrate or part so that they do not receive Dicronite® dry lubrication?
Yes, this is commonly done.

Can a part previously coated with DL5® be re-processed?
A previously coated part can be re-processed to produce a new Dicronite coating.

Are there high or low temperatures involved in the application of Dicronite® dry lubrication?
No. The application temperature range is between 20℃ (68℉) and 35℃ (95℉), and therefore, will not subject the substrate to heat stress or distortion.

No. Only a Dicronite® authorized licensee can apply Dicronite®. Please contact your nearest facility to arrange application for your needs.

Can Dicronite® dry lubrication be applied in quick turnaround situations?
Yes. Typical lead-time is between one and four days, exclusive of any transport. Please contact your nearest facility for a specific quote.

Do I need to specifically prepare the surface prior to application of Dicronite® dry lubrication?
No. You will need to ensure the parts are free of oil and grease as much as possible. Please note that Dicronite® dry lubrication should generally be the final step in manufacturing. Any other surface processes (e.g. passivation, anodizing, polishing) should be completed prior to the Dicronite® dry lubrication processes.

How can I get a quote for Dicronite® dry lubrication?
Please contact the facility nearest you for an application-specific quote.

Are there any special handling requirements once the Dicronite® dry lubrication has been applied to the substrate?
No. Consistent with industry standard practices, the surface should be kept clean and dry, other than co-lubricants, prior to final assembly.

Are there environmental or health and safety considerations after Dicronite® dry lubrication has been applied?
No. The material is inert and non-toxic.

Do all locations offer the same Dicronite® dry lubrication process?
Yes.

I am interested in opening a new Dicronite® dry lubrication facility, who do I contact?
Please contact LSI for more information.

Key to Dicronite® dry lubrication’s wide range of applications are its:

  • Ultra-low coefficient of friction
  • Precision film thickness of 0.5 microns maximum (0.000020 inches)
  • Wide functional temperature span – 188°C to +538°C (up to +1316°C in vacuum)
  • Near ambient temperature (max 35°C) application process

Based on these key values, Dicronite® dry lubrication is proven worldwide for:

  • Friction and wear reduction
  • Anti-seize / anti-galling / anti-fretting
  • Plastic mold release and flow enhancement
  • Co-lubrication enhancement in combination with oils and greases
  • Co-deposit with Ni, Cr, Ti and many other coatings
  • In place of conventional lubricants in high-vacuum/temperature situations

© Lubrication Sciences International, Inc., 2023. Dicronite® and DL-5® are registered trademarks of Lubrication Sciences International, Inc.

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Sliding Wear

Sliding wear occurs when two surfaces slide against one another causing material loss to one or both surfaces. Over time, this can result in component failures, additional maintenance, and costly down time.  

Coating components with Dicronite® can help minimize this wear and reduce the need for maintenance and down time.

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Tight Tolerance Lubrication

Extremely tight tolerances can present challenges when lubricants or coatings are needed to reduce friction. Many products are available to help reduce friction, but in the case of very tight tolerances, few can be integrated without the need for adjustments.

Dicronite® has an average thickness of 0.5 microns (0.00002 inch) or less. This precision thin film allows users to incorporate Dicronite® on designs with tight tolerances without the need for design or manufacturing changes.

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Vacuum Environment Lubrication

Vacuum environments present a challenge for lubrication. Many conventional lubricants aren’t effective under vacuum and are largely vaporized.

Dicronite® can be used in vacuum to reduce friction where other lubricants can’t function. The outgassing of Dicronite® under vacuum conditions is well below screening levels for spacecraft materials per ASTM E595.

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Energy Lost to Friction

Friction is wasted energy! Systems with critical mechanical power output need to be extremely efficient.

Dicronite® optimizes mechanical efficiency by reducing friction losses and can even work in tandem with existing lubrication to further optimize efficiency.

Dicronite® is especially useful in precision systems, extreme environments, or where minimizing size and weight is vital.

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Fretting

Fretting is a unique form of sliding wear that occurs when contact surfaces oscillate over a very small range of motion. Although it may seem minor, this surface wear can ultimately lead to fatigue cracking and devastating damage.

Dicronite® helps remedy fretting by providing lubrication at contact surfaces. This effectively reduces the wear and surface stresses that cause so much damage.

Dicronite® can be integrated into existing designs and assemblies without any other adjustments for seamless reduction of fretting wear.

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Extreme Temperature Lubrication

Extreme low or high temperatures can be challenging environments for lubrication. At low temperatures, conventional lubricants may be too viscous to be effective, while extreme high temperatures can result in breakdown of the lubricant.

Dicronite can be used in extreme environments to ensure effective lubrication while also being used in combination with oils and greases.

Dicronite is stable across a wide temperature range:

  • up to approximately 538°C (1000°F) in air
  • up to approximately 1316°C (2400°F) in vacuum
  • down to approximately -188°C (-305°F)

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Excessive Heat from Friction

As friction in an assembly generates heat, elevated temperatures can result in unwanted operating conditions.

This can cause overheating and accelerate the breakdown of materials, resulting in costly maintenance and down time or destructive failure.

Proper lubrication can help minimize friction, reduce heat, and increase mechanical efficiency. Coat parts with Dicronite® to avoid excessive maintenance and ensure components will run as efficiently as possible.

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