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Dicronite®

Tungsten Disulfide (WS2) Coating

What is Dicronite®? 

Dicronite® is a tungsten disulfide (WS2) solid lubricant coating. Tungsten disulfide occurs naturally as a rare mineral known as tungstenite, however it is typically synthesized using tungsten and sulfur.

While tungsten disulfide can be used in different fashions, the Dicronite® coating uses tungsten disulfide material specifically prepared for application as a dry film lubricant. This unique material preparation ensures optimal performance of the lubricant coating.

The Dicronite® coating is extremely thin, resists high and low temperatures, and functions in vacuum environments. Dicronite® meets the requirements of SAE specification AMS2530.

SEM photo of Tungsten Disulfide

sem photo of tungsten disulfide

How does it provide lubrication? 

The molecular structure of tungsten disulfide (WS2) forms stacks of thin layers, also referred to as a lamellar structure. These thin layers are connected to each other by weak bonds that are easily broken. This allows layers to slide along one another with very low resistance, or low friction.

When Dicronite® is applied on contact surfaces, the material’s layers provide low friction sliding, effectively lubricating the surfaces.

Why use Dicronite®?

Dicronite® is valued for its extreme lubricity and ability to improve component performance in various types of industries and applications. It’s ability to reduce friction and prevent failure in extreme environments like high or low temperatures and vacuum make Dicronite® a critical solution to difficult friction problems. For over 60 years, engineers have trusted Dicronite® for precision friction reduction.

With Dicronite®, users can:

  • prevent failures due to friction
  • increase efficiency and improve mechanical performance
  • reduce sliding wear, extending component life
  • avoid costly downtime and repairs

Coating Properties

TEMPERATURE STABILITY

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)

VACUUM STABILITY

It’s very low outgassing makes it a great lubricant for applications dealing with vacuum conditions.

Dicronite® is a spacecraft suitable material per ASTM E595.

THICKNESS

Dicronite® has an average thickness of 0.5 microns (0.00002 inch) or less.

The half micron thickness allows tolerances to remain unaffected, ensuring engineers can avoid redesign and easily incorporate the coating on existing designs.

Due to the nature of the material, the coating won’t build up past the 0.5 micron avg limit, which means you never have to worry that the coating has been applied too thick.

COMPATIBILITY

Dicronite® can be applied on most substrates. This includes all metals, most plastics, and some ceramics.

It may also be applied on top of other coatings or platings. Dicronite® is compatible with oils and greases and can be used in systems with fuels or hydraulic fluids.

It’s also a non-toxic, biocompatible lubricant making it suitable for medical devices and applications within the food processing industry.

What sectors use Dicronite®?

This dry lubricant coating is highly valued by engineers throughout various industries. Typical industries include:

What are common applications?

Common components that are coated with Dicronite® include but are not limited to:

  • Actuators
  • Ball Screws
  • Bearings
  • Bushings
  • Chains

What problems does Dicronite® solve?

The Dicronite® coating reduces friction and solves problems such as:

  • Mold Release
  • Vacuum Environment
  • Tight Tolerances
  • Sliding Wear
  • Difficult Assembly
  • Excessive Heat from Friction
  • Extreme Temperature Lubrication
  • Fretting
  • Low Power Output
  • Galling & Seizing

What does Dicronite® look like?

Dicronite® typically takes on a dark gray or silver color, sometimes influenced by the color and finish of the underlying substrate.

Dicronite® can be applied to all metals, most ceramics, and some plastics. See what the coating looks like on a few common substrates. 

Dicronite Coated Substrates

How to apply Dicronite®?

We have certified Dicronite® application facilities that will handle the entire coating process for you. Tell us about your application and we will connect you with a facility nearest you!

Additional Tech Data

  • CORROSION RESISTANCE
    Provides only minimal corrosion inhibition
  • CONDUCTIVITY
    Will not significantly affect surface conductivity (thermal or electrical)
  • CO-LUBRICATION
    Compatible with oils and greases
  • LIQUIDS COMPATIBILITY
    Compatible with aviation fuels, hydraulic fluids, and many solvents
  • OXYGEN COMPATIBILITY
    Suitable for liquid and gaseous oxygen systems
  • RADIATION STABILITY
    Stable (tested according to LEO and nuclear containment vessel radiation levels)
  • BIOCOMPATIBILITY
    Biocompatible per USP Class VI and ISO-10993 testing
  • LOAD CAPACITY
    Same as substrate, up to approximately 350,000 psi (2,415 MPa)
  • CHEMICAL STABILITY
    Inert
  • TOXICITY
    Non-toxic
  • HARDNESS
    1.0 – 1.5 on Mohs’ scale
  • MAGNETISM
    Non-magnetic
  • HANDLING
    Sensitive to scratching and abrasion; prevent damage to coated surfaces
  • SUBSTRATE DEFORMATION
    Will not induce stress to substrate

Click to view and print the PDF

Dicronite® Technical Data Sheet PDF

Dicronite® Brochure PDF

Application Reports

Customer Specifications

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Have additional questions about whether or not Dicronite will be a good fit for your application? 

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© Lubrication Sciences International, Inc., 2019. 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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