When used in conjunction with other material such as metal, graphite forms a solid or dry lubricant that reduces friction between surfaces. Graphite lubricant is especially effective in high temperatures and environments where liquid lubricants lose their viscosity, such as when operating in space.

What makes graphite so slippery? It’s a combination of its structure and the weak forces that hold its layers together. At an atomic level, graphite consists of sheets of carbon atoms, with very weak van der Waals bonds between each layer. This allows the sheets to slide on each other with minimal resistance. Graphite’s natural slippage provides lubrication even when applied in very small amounts.

The best way to apply graphite lubricant is to combine it with a fast-evaporating solvent and spray the mixture onto the surface that needs lubricating. This form of application is most commonly seen in the pinewood derby kits and other similar projects, where powder graphite is sprayed onto wheels to help them spin faster.

This process produces a smooth, long-lasting lubricant. Unlike oil, grease and penetrants, it doesn’t leave sticky residues that attract dirt and debris and may contaminate other surfaces.

SLIP Plate, a popular graphite lubricant manufactured by Superior Graphite, is a top-rated dry lubricant that’s safe to use and formulated using the highest quality graphite possible. The company sources its graphite from several mines around the world, which is then processed here in the United States. SLIP Plate’s formulas are made without fillers and other additives, which guarantees that the lubricant contains pure graphite and nothing else.