Originally posted on https://industrialcoat.com/select-right-anti-friction-coating/

For industrial manufacturers, anti friction coating is essential to ensuring the proper functioning of their equipment.

Friction leads to wear and tear on your equipment. This can cause the machinery to operate less efficiently. Additionally, keeping your equipment in good repair is necessary for the health and safety of your employees.

Coating your machines with an anti friction material will help keep them operating smoothly. This will save your business time and money.

Let’s take a look at how you can choose the right coating for your company’s industrial equipment.

How Does Anti-Friction Coating Work?

Coating materials are typically paint-like substances that you apply to your machinery. Like paint, coatings can be applied by spraying, brushing, or dipping your tools.

We recommend applying a coating to any material that will experience frequent friction. This includes metal-to-metal, metal-to-plastic, or plastic-to-plastic friction.

Adding a coating to your machinery provides lubricant, and adds a layer of protection against corrosion. By investing in this extra protection, you can prolong the life of your equipment.

How Much Coating Material Do I Need?

When it comes to a coating for anti-friction purposes, less is more. A thin layer of coating will optimize your machinery’s efficiency. By contrast, applying a thick layer could prevent the equipment from operating properly.

If you apply too much coating or need to remove a coating for any other reason, there are a few ways to do this. Using a sandblaster is typically the easier and most efficient removal method.

What Characteristics should I look for in Coating Material?

The type of coating material you choose will depend on the particular needs of your equipment. There are a few factors you should consider.

Hardness

Add a coating to your tools can increase their hardness. This helps increase the tool’s life, especially for tools that regularly experience friction.

If you want to add hardness to your tools, look for coatings that contain carbon. After all, the hardest materials found in nature are made from carbon.

Lubrication

That said, hardness isn’t the only factor to consider when choosing a coating. A lubricating coating will help keep the machinery in good condition. This is especially important for machinery that experiences frequent friction.

For example, when you use Teflon coatings, you decrease the resistance of your machinery. This leads the equipment to produce less heat while running at a faster speed. The increased lubrication also protects your equipment from damage as a result of prolonged use.

Oxidation Temperature

A material’s oxidation temperature is the temperature at which it begins to break down. If your equipment is exposed to extreme temperatures, make sure to take this factor into account.

Keep in mind that some materials that aren’t as hard may actually operate better at higher temperatures. For this reason, it’s important to pick a coating that works for your equipment’s specific needs.

If you need more information about getting the right anti friction coating for your equipment, contact us. Our team of experts will work with you to get you the right coating for your needs.