Wikipedia article on the subject was a little too technical, getting into layered molecular structure and non-lamellar structures and such. Hoping this sub can make sense of it.
In: Engineering
The simple answer is that they each only out perform the other in certain types of situations/environments.
liquid lubes out perform dry like this: Liquids can be pumped and cooled/recirculated, used a bath/spray/jet and filtered and reused
dry lube locks, dry lube doesn’t attract dirt that gums up the mechanism..
some situations liquid lubes “fling off” and dry lube stays attached (graphite bonds and doesn’t fling off )
dry/solid lubricants are often better in hot and oxidizing environments that break down liquid lubes.
graphite needs humidity , so other specialized lubricants are used in a vacuum/space.
hope that breaks it down..
Latest Answers