Graphite/metal alloy bearings handle harsh environments that lubricated bearings can’t.
For example, a grease-filled ball bearing was used on an oven-door latch—but in tests, the bearing seized and kept the door from latching. Engineers discovered that oven temperatures of over 550°F had, over time, solidified the grease. They tried a graphite-based dry lubricant and found it better tolerated the high temperatures, but made the bearing balls skid and damaged the race. The ball bearing was eventually replaced with a graphite/metal alloy solid bearing and the problem went away.
Blencowe Resources Plc (LON:BRES) is a United Kingdom-based mineral exploration and development company. The Company is focused on exploration and development of the Orom Graphite Project in the Republic of Uganda.