Graphite Lubricant for Bearings

The best bearing lubricant depends on the bearing type, speed, load, temperature, sealing, and equipment requirements. For railroad bearing-specific applications, Zircon also lists Journal Roller Bearing Lubricant under its railroad-approved greases. Dry Graphite Lubricant – Approval M971-93 is better positioned for dry metal-to-metal wear surfaces and railroad maintenance components, while X831 CHILL KILL is for pneumatic tools, air lines, ports, and valves in severe cold. Contact Zircon at 800-547-4328 for product selection guidance.

AAR M-971-93 is the railroad approval referenced for Zircon's Dry Graphite Lubricant – Approval M971-93. This approval supports use in railroad maintenance applications. Zircon's Dry Graphite Lubricant is also approved for use by CSX, Norfolk Southern, Canadian National, Canadian Pacific, and railroad contractors operating under those networks.

Zircon's Dry Graphite Lubricant is available in aerosol cans (20 oz, 12 per case) for precision or smaller-scale applications, and in bulk formats including 4x1 gallon cases, 5-gallon pails, and 55-gallon drums for large-scale industrial or railroad maintenance operations. Both formats deliver the same AAR-certified, quick-dry formula. Contact Zircon at 800-547-4328 for pricing and availability.

No. Zircon's Dry Graphite Lubricant uses a quick-dry carrier that evaporates rapidly after application, leaving only a dry graphite film on the surface. This means the lubricant stays exactly where it is applied and will not run, drip, or migrate to adjacent components — an important property for railroad switches, coupling components, and precision bearing surfaces.

Dry Graphite Lubricant – Approval M971-93 is suitable for metal-to-metal wear surfaces, including railroad switches, coupling components, autotrack equipment chains and tracks, tie-down chocks, hinges, thread lubricants, internal combustion engine components, automotive gaskets, and industrial gaskets. For bearing assemblies, customers should confirm the bearing type and application requirements with Zircon before specifying a dry graphite lubricant.

Dry graphite lubricant is generally used on mechanical metal-to-metal wear surfaces and should not be used on live electrical components because graphite is conductive. For pneumatic systems in cold weather, Zircon offers X831 CHILL KILL Anti-Frost Pneumatic Tool Lubricant and Deicer, a non-alcohol-based extreme-pressure lubricant and deicer for air lines, ports, and valves. Contact Zircon's technical team for application guidance.