MOLYKOTE® Anti-Friction Coatings Explained

You may be familiar with traditional greases and lubricants but these are susceptible to wash out in extreme conditions and can attract dirt and grime which will eventually wear away components.

There is another option though. MOLYKOTE® Anti-Friction coatings or AFC's as they are sometimes known provide a dry film coating that is resistant washout and thanks to its dry characteristics will not attract dirt and grime. AFC's are often referred to as 'lubricating paints' as they can be painted onto surfaces using a number of methods including:

• Spraying
• Dipping
• Dip-Spinning
• Printing
• Coil Coating

This makes anti-friction coatings easy to apply, they also do not require an oven to cure them although for applications where corrosion protection and chemical resistance are required it is recommended that the coatings are cured in an oven.

The ability to easily apply these coatings makes them a cost-effective and economic solution for many applications. They are also able to withstand higher temperature ranges than traditional greases and pastes making them ideal for applications where extremes of temperature are in play.

Solid Lubricants

MOLYKOTE® Anti-Friction Coatings use solid lubricants that keep the surface of the substrates separated from each other to form the dry film and in turn provide lubrication. These solid lubricants can withstand high loads and high temperature ranges that tradition lubricants cannot achieve. You can find out more about solid lubricants here.

By using solid lubricants the anti-friction coatings provide:

• Dry, clean lubrication that is not effected by dust, dirt or water
• Rust prevention without the need for other processes like galvanising
• Excellent dismantling ability
• A coating that will not stain metal, plastic or elastomers
• Controlled film thickness

Curing

When it comes to curing AFC's there are advantages and disadvantages to air curing and heat curing. These are detailed below.

Curing System	Advantages	Disadvantages
Air Curing	Process is easier Can be applied with spray cans	Curing time Storage stability
Heat Curing	Corrosion Protection Chemical Resistance	Equipment (Oven) is necessary Energy Costs Handling

 

Application Methods

As mentioned above there are a number of methods for applying anti-friction coatings, these too have their advantages and disadvantages which can be found in the table below.

Method	Advantage	Disadvantage
Spraying	Good appearance, even film thickness	Over spray and an exhaust cabinet is required
Dipping	Good appearance and even film thickness	Bath control and stirring equipment required
Dip-Spinning	Bulk goods and can be automated making it economical	Poor appearance, Needs two layers, bath control
Printing	Exact design, automated and no overspray	Defined Area and a specific machine is required
Coil Coating	Outside treatment, Economical, ideal for big quantities (m2)	Expensive equipment, lots of spaces needed.

 

Product by application

Industry	Application	Product
Automotive	Piston skirt coating	D-10-GBL / D-6024 / PA-744
Automotive	Starter motor anchors	D-6600
Automotive	Exhaust Manifold Gaskets	D-6900 / D-7620
Automotive	Lock mechanisms, catch plates, locking-levers and safety hooks	3400A LF / D-708
Automotive	Door panels, arm rests, consoles and interior trim	D-96 / D-9630
Automotive	Seat belt components	D-6600 / D-708
Automotive	Caliper springs and brake clips	D-708 / D-709
Automotive	Air Conditioner swash plates	D-6818 / D-7409
Automotive	Air conditioner pistons	D-6927
Engineering	Gears	D-7409 / 7400 / D-321R
Engineering	Threaded Connections	D-708 / D-3484
Engineering	Chains	D-7409 / D-3484 / D-321R
Engineering	Springs	D-321R / D-3484 / D-7409
Engineering	Valves	D-7409
Engineering	General Assembly	D-321R / 3402C LF
Engineering	Rubber and plastic components such as O-rings and seals	D-9100

 

If you would like to find out more about anti-friction coatings contact us on 01827 255200. To see our full range of MOLYKOTE® anti-friction coatings click here.