Graphite Fluoride (CFx)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 (CF_x)_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 (CF_x)_n films exceeded those of graphite or MoS₂. Also, the friction coefficient of (CF_x)_n was less than that of graphite and approximately equal to that of MoS₂. The upper temperature limitation on the (CF_x)_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).