Graphite Fluoride (CF_x)_n—A New Solid Lubricant

Abstract

Friction and wear life studies were conducted on burnished (rubbed-on) films of a potential, new, solid lubricant, graphite fluoride (CFx)n. Results were compared to those of similar tests using graphite or MoS2. The comparisons showed that, at any one specific temperature, the wear lives of (CFx)n films exceeded those of graphite or MoS2. Also, the friction coefficient of (CFx)n was less than that of graphite and approximately equal to that of MoS2. The upper temperature limitation on the (CFx)n burnished films is about 400 C. The influence of the fluorine-to-carbon ratio in the compound was investigated and did not seem to be of importance in the range considered (1.12 to 0.7).