Lubricore Dispersions

WS₂ Dispersion in PAO Oil — Tungsten Disulfide Concentrate

Pre-dispersed Tungsten Disulfide (WS₂) concentrate in PAO-6 carrier oil. Surface-modified, sub-micron, and stabilized for use in high-performance gear oils, engine oils, hydraulic fluids, and industrial lubricants.

  • 50% WS₂ active content in PAO-6
  • Low-friction solid lubricant additive with COF as low as 0.03
  • Stable suspension designed for blending and filterability

The Case for Pre-Dispersed WS₂ Over Raw Powder

WS₂ particles exhibit strong inter-particle attraction. In raw powder form, WS₂ can form compact agglomerates when introduced directly into oil, creating sedimentation risk, inconsistent particle distribution, filterability issues, and performance variability over time.

Lubricore W850 was developed to address these formulation challenges. Powderful Solutions applies a surface modification treatment to WS₂ particles before dispersion in PAO-6, producing a 50% WS₂ concentrate designed for stable incorporation into finished lubricants.

Stable Suspension

Modified particles are designed to resist re-agglomeration during storage, blending, shear, and thermal cycling, helping maintain uniform WS₂ distribution.

Sub-Micron Particle Control

Sub-micron particle distribution supports lubrication performance while helping reduce the risk of abrasive oversized clusters.

Reduced Handling Risk

Liquid dispersion eliminates direct dry powder handling, reducing dust exposure and simplifying the blending process.

PAO-Compatible

Dispersed in PAO-6 and suitable for use with PAO, Group III, and Group II base stocks at recommended treat rates.

Lubricore W850 Product Specifications

Lubricore W850 — WS₂ Dispersion in PAO-6
CAS 12138-09-9 | 50% WS₂ in PAO-6 | Sub-micron, stabilized
Active: 50% WS₂ Carrier: PAO-6 COF: 0.03 Shelf Life: 12+ months Packs: 1–200 L

Pre-dispersed, surface-modified WS₂ concentrate designed for direct blending into engine oils, gear oils, hydraulic fluids, and metalworking fluids. Built for formulators who need the performance of WS₂ without raw powder handling or uncontrolled agglomeration.

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WS₂ Dispersion Performance in Formulated Lubricants

Metric Lubricore W850 Lubricore M850 (MoS₂) Raw WS₂ Powder PTFE Dispersion
COF (dry tribofilm) 0.03 0.05–0.10 0.03 if dispersed 0.04–0.10
Max temp. in air 650°C 350°C 650°C 260°C
Filterability Engineered Engineered Poor without treatment Good
Suspension stability 12+ months 12+ months Limited Good
PFAS-free Yes Yes Yes No
Designed for high-performance lubricant formulation. Lubricore W850 combines the low-friction and high-load performance of WS₂ with the blending advantages of a stabilized liquid concentrate.

Where Lubricore W850 Delivers Maximum Value

High-Performance Gear Oils

WS₂ dispersion can support EP and AW protection in hypoid, worm, spiral bevel, and industrial gear oil formulations.

Premium Engine Oils

Used to support boundary friction reduction on cylinder walls, camshaft lobes, and valvetrain components under startup and high-load conditions.

Racing & Aviation Lubricants

Relevant where low friction, high load capacity, and thermal stability are required in high-performance lubricant systems.

Hydraulic Fluids

Can be used as an AW additive in high-pressure piston and vane pump applications when filtration and compatibility requirements are validated.

Industrial & Metalworking

Neat cutting oils, honing fluids, and deep-drawing lubricants can use WS₂ to support tool life, surface finish, and metal-to-metal contact protection.

Specialty & Aerospace

Suitable for specialized lubricant applications involving high temperature, vacuum, low friction, or demanding tribological conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lubricore W850 and how is it used?
Lubricore W850 is a pre-dispersed WS₂ concentrate containing 50% tungsten disulfide by weight in PAO-6 carrier oil. It is used as a drop-in EP, AW, and AF additive for gear oils, engine oils, hydraulic fluids, and metalworking fluids. Add 1–3% Lubricore W850 to a base formulation to achieve approximately 0.5–1.5% WS₂ active content in the finished lubricant.
Why use WS₂ dispersion instead of raw powder?
Raw WS₂ powder can agglomerate rapidly in oil without surface treatment, causing sedimentation, filterability challenges, and inconsistent performance. Lubricore W850 uses surface-modified WS₂ designed to maintain stable sub-micron particle dispersion for 12+ months. This supports more consistent EP/AW performance and reduces the operational burden of handling dry powder.
How does WS₂ dispersion compare to MoS₂ dispersion?
Both Lubricore W850 (WS₂) and Lubricore M850 (MoS₂) provide EP/AW performance in oil. WS₂ offers lower COF, higher temperature stability, and better performance in humid or high-moisture environments. MoS₂ dispersion is often more cost-effective for standard industrial applications. For premium performance, vacuum, high-temperature, or humidity-sensitive use cases, WS₂ is generally preferred.
Is Lubricore W850 compatible with additive packages?
WS₂ is chemically stable and generally compatible with conventional additive chemistry including ZnDTP, antioxidants, VI improvers, and friction modifiers. Lubricore W850 is dispersed in PAO-6, which is compatible with many Group II, Group III, and PAO base stocks. Compatibility with ester or silicone base stocks should be confirmed through laboratory testing. Avoid strong oxidizing acid conditions.
What is the recommended treat rate for Lubricore W850?
Recommended starting treat rates are typically 0.5–3 wt% Lubricore W850 in the finished lubricant, providing approximately 0.25–1.5 wt% WS₂ active. For gear oils, 1–2% is common. For engine oils, 0.5–1% is a typical starting range. For cutting fluids, 1–3% may be appropriate. Final optimization should be validated for the specific formulation and application conditions.

Ready to Add Lubricore W850 to Your Formulation?

Our technical team works directly with lubricant formulators to optimize particle size, concentration, carrier system, and blending protocol for your application.