Many industrial applications require powder lubricant to reduce friction, prevent wear and control contamination. Graphite is the most common powder used for this purpose, but it has competition from molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and other substances that perform well in certain circumstances.

Other lubricants include metallic soaps made of calcium, sodium or lithium; animal waxes such as beeswax and spermaceti wax; fatty acids such as lard, lard oil and palmitic acid; and chemical conversion coatings formed on metal surfaces by reaction with sulfur, chlorine, oxide, phosphate and nitrate films. The lubricity of solids such as graphite, MoS2 and diamond is attributable to their lamellar structure, which allows the particles to slide easily over each other, preventing contact between surfaces. The size of the particles, their distribution, and the surface finish also influences lubrication performance. Larger particles work best on rough surfaces at low speeds, while finer particles can be used at higher speeds.

Another alternative to graphite is tungsten disulfide (WS2). Mined and refined, it has the same basic lubricity as graphite but works well in a vacuum, unlike graphite, which oxidizes at high temperatures.

Black Ice(tm) is a proprietary formula that combines a unique solvent cleaner with a pure, lubricious graphite powder. It first cleans the surface, then deposits a thin film of graphite to create a dry lubricant. This provides a better solution than competing products that leave a wet, sticky residue and are impacted by temperature. In addition, Black Ice(tm) is formulated with a blend of renewable and abundant natural resources that are environmentally friendly and meet all safety and health requirements.