The first dry film lubricants used graphite or molybdenum disulfide as a lubricant that was mixed into an epoxy or other liquid resin. As industry demanded longer lasting, particularly highly corrosion resistant dry film lubricants, microencapsulation of the lubricant particles allowed specialized MIL specifications (Military specifications) with very high corrosion resistance. These sophisticated lubricant coatings work by allowing slight ablation or particle dispersion at the surface of the industrial coating. Very high load capacity is achievable. However, liquids can disperse the lubricant particles in the early editions of dry film lubricants.
The latest development of PTFE coating services and other solid lubricant particles in a liquid resin which is spray and oven cured much like the original dry film lubricants. However, these new materials do not disperse particles and use particles of materials like PTFE, PFA, Carbon whiskers, polymer fibers, and many synthetic particles, including diamonds that are low friction and abrasion resistant. These non-ablative dry film lubricants function either dry or wet. Many automotive parts are now coated with these new industrial coatings like air conditioner pistons, cables, supercharger rotors, rubber and plastic components, shock absorber pistons and rod guides. Typical applications are firearms, aircraft sliding surfaces, automotive door hinge pins, solenoid plungers, seat belt cams, and many dry applications.
Further advancements in dry film lubricants have combined PTFE and moly disulfide or PTFE and graphite to improve the low pressure, high-speed properties of PTFE with the high load and dry lubrication that moly disulfide offers. These new coatings have worked very well in crankshaft bearing surfaces, galling reduction of aluminum on aluminum or steel on aluminum, and also piston coatings for both the automotive and aircraft industries.
Dry film lubricants provide lubrication where oils and grease may be extruded out between two mating surfaces because of pressure or stroking. In addition, dry film lubricants do not become contaminated like grease or oils in dusty, dirty areas of operation such as found in mines, construction zones or saw mills