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1.What is Tungsten disulfide (WS2 )? Tungsten Disulfide is one of the most lubricious materials
known to science. With Coefficient of Friction (dynamic at 0.07, static at 0.03), it offers excellent
dry lubricity unmatched to any other substance. It can also be used in high temperature and
high pressure applications. It offers temperature resistance from 450o F (270o C) to 1200o F
(650o C) in normal atmosphere and from 305o F (188o C) to 2400o F (1316o C) in Vacuum. Load
bearing property of coated film is extremely high at 2000Mpa (300,000 psi).When being applied to
solid lubricity of spaceflight, only WS2 can endure such high temperature 270~1300 in cosmic
space. Thus, it is extensively used by NASA spaceflight, aviation, military etc. as lubricant
material with high performance.

2. Lubricating Mechanism of Tungsten Disulfide Why WS2 has good lubrication performance?
Because, the microstructure of WS2 crystal is layered hollow sphere with hexagonal crystal
clusters, whose surfaces are formed by hexagonal networks with SWS molecules combined
up, whose layers are connected by Van de Walls Force, this weak binding force is easy to be
sheared between layers, so the low friction factor is put up. Meanwhile, WS2 crystal is very
stable at high temperature, even above 550, WS2 can build up compact WO3 covering layer by
slow oxidation to inhibit further oxidation, and WO3 has low friction factor and can prevent the
glue happened between metal surfaces as well.
3. Characteristics comparison among Tungsten Disulfide(WS2 ), Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2 )
and Graphite Tungsten Disulfide offers excellent lubrication under extreme conditions of Load,
Vacuum and Temperature. The properties below show that Tungsten Disulfide offers excellent
thermal stability and oxidation resistance at higher temperatures. WS2 has thermal stability
advantage of 93oC (200oF) over MoS2. Coefficient of Friction of WS2 actually reduces at higher
loads.
Table 1: WS2 / MoS2 physical and Technical Properties

properties

Colour
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Tungsten disulfide (WS2)

Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2)

CAS No 12138099

CAS No 1317335

Silver Gray

BlueSilver Gray
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Appearance

Crystalline Solid

Crystalline Solid

Melting Point (oC)

1250oC, 1260oC (decomposes)

1185oC (decomposes)

Boiling Point

450o C

Density (Kg.m3)

7500

5060

Molecular Weight

248

160.08

Coefficient of Friction

0.03 Dynamic; 0.07 Static

Thermal Stability in Air

COF <0.1 till 1100oF (594oC)

COF
<0.1
@600oF
(316oC)
increases to 0.5 @1100oF (594oC)

Load Bearing Ability

300,000 psi for coated film

250,000 psi

COF:0.044 @ 20,000 psi

COF reduces to 0.024 between
200,000 to 400,000 psi

Lubrication

Temperature Ambient: from 273oC to 650oC Ambient: from 185oC to 350oC

Range

Vacuum(10 14 Torr): from 188oC Vacuum: from 185oC to 1100oC

to 1316oC

Chemical Durability

Inert Substance, NonToxic

Inert Substance, NonToxic

Magnetism

NonMagnetic

NonMagnetic

Electrical Properties

Has Semiconductor properties

Rockwell Hardness

30HRc

Coating Film Thickness

0.5 micron

Corrosion Stability

Can slow down the corrosion

rate, but can not fully prevent
substrate corrosion

Coatable Substrates

Iron, Steel, Aluminum, Copper, Iron, Steel, Aluminum, Copper,

other

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Metals,

Plastics

and other

Metals,

Plastics

and
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Manmade Solids

Manmade Solids

Table 2: comparison of the friction coefficient () and the diameter of scuff scar among three
materials

Item

MoS2

graphite

WS2

friction

friction
factor

Load(kg)

vestige

friction
friction
factor

(mm)

vestige

friction
friction
factor

(mm)

vestige
(mm)

21

0.0194

0.241

0.0194

0.268

0.197

25

0.0490

0.255

0.0204

0.270

0.250

31

0.0526

0.312

0.0180

0.283

0.0066

0.266

34

0.0601

0.316

0.0240

0.288

0.0240

0.270

38

0.0269

0.301

0.0296

0.282

40

0.0459

0.312

0.0375

0.309

44

0.0510

0.324

0.0348

0.318

48

0.0511

0.331

0.0375

0.325

52

0.0572

0.349

0.0333

0.343

56

0.0565

0.370

0.0419

0.353

61

0.0452

0.354

66

0.0448

0.361

From the data above we can conclude that basing on fourball extreme pressure test, the item
value of the average scuff scar's diameter and the friction factor is ranked as: graphite MoS2
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WS2; and PB is WS2 MoS2 graphite, thus we may draw a conclusion that the lubrication
performance is WS2 MoS2 graphite.
4. The application of WS2Tungsten Disulfide (WS2) can be used instead of Molybdenum Disulfide
(MoS2)and Graphite in almost all applications, and even more. Molybdenum and Tungsten are
from same chemical family. Tungsten is heavier and more stable. Molybdenum Disulfide (Also
known as Molybdenum Disulfide) till now has been extremely popular due to cheaper price,
easier availability and strong and innovative marketing. Tungsten Disulfide is not new chemical
and has been around as long as Molybdenum, and is used extensively by NASA, military,
aerospace and automotive industry.Till few years ago, price was Tungsten Disulfide was almost
10 times that of Molybdenum Disulfide. But since then price of Molybdenum Disulfide has
doubled every six months. Now the prices of both chemicals are within comparable range. Now,
it makes more economic sense to use superior dry lubricant (Tungsten Disulfide) and improve
the quality and competitiveness of terminal product.
The following are established ways the WS2 powder can be used
1). WS2 powder worked as additives for lubricants (such as oil, grease & other synthetic
lubricants) The powder can be mixed 1% to 15% v/v (as required) with grease or oil. This will
enhance lubricity of the mixture and also improves High Temperature and Extreme Pressure
properties of mixture. During the use, WS2 in the mixture will get coated on mating/moving
parts, which in turn reduces friction and improves lubricity and load bearing ability for much
longer cycles.
2). Coating the WS2 powder on a substrate requiring (dry) lubricity The powder can be coated
by spraying at 120 psi (0.8 Mpa) the substrate with dry (& cool) pneumatic air. It does not
require any binders and spraying can be done at normal room temperature. Coated film will be
0.5 micron thick. In an alternative application method, the powder can also be mixed with
Isopropyl alcohol and this paste could be buffed to the substrate. The coating applications are
already established in many areas such as Automotive parts, Racing Car Engine and other parts,
Aerospace parts, Bearings (Linear, Ball, Roller etc), Shafts, Marine parts, Cutting Tools, Blades,
Slitters, Knives, Mold release, Precision Gears, Valve components, Pistons, Chains, Machinery
components and many other areas.Besides, it can also be applied to antifriction material in
carbon industry; super rigidity material and weld thread;Tungsten Disulfide (WS2) can be used
instead of Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2) in almost all applications, and even more. Since the
powder offers one of the lowest Coefficient of Friction (Dynamic at 0.03 & Static at 0.07), the
applications are unlimited and could be tried with every conceivable idea. .

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