MIL-PRF-46010 requirements for heat-cured solid film lubricants

This answer covers MIL-PRF-46010H, the US military performance specification for heat-cured solid film lubricants in non-aerospace use. It does not cover aerospace parts bought to SAE AS5272, air-cured films, or national specifications outside the US. The full specification text governs any purchase.

What does MIL-PRF-46010H cover and who uses it?

MIL-PRF-46010H covers a corrosion-inhibiting solid film lubricant that is sprayed, brushed or dipped onto metal parts and then oven-cured, and it is used by US Department of Defense buyers, their suppliers and engineers who cite it for bonded dry film lubrication. The scope reads: "This specification establishes the requirements for a corrosion inhibiting heat cured solid film lubricant that is intended to reduce wear and prevent galling, corrosion, and seizure of metals (see 6.1)." (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, 1.1). The specification is approved for use by all Departments and Agencies of the Department of Defense, carries NATO code S-1738, and implements STANAG 1135 on interchangeable fuels and lubricants (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013). It sets two colors: Color 1, natural, and Color 2, black (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, 1.2).

The non-mandatory notes list aluminum, copper, steel, stainless steel, titanium, chromium and nickel bearing surfaces in sliding motion, such as plain and spherical bearings, flap tracks, hinges, threads and cam surfaces, as intended uses (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, 6.1). The same notes say the lubricant should not be used on bearings with rolling elements, where contact with liquid oxygen is possible, or on materials harmed by a cure of 204 ± 15 °C for 1 hour (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, 6.1.1). For aerospace components, the notes point buyers to SAE AS5272 (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, 6.9).

What does MIL-PRF-46010H require?

MIL-PRF-46010H requires a qualified, lead-free and graphite-free lubricant that, after a heat cure, meets fixed limits for film thickness, adhesion, fluid resistance, wear life, load capacity, corrosion, solids content, storage stability and volatile organic content. The table below shows what a qualified heat-cured solid film lubricant must prove and how each requirement is verified.

The row buyers check first is endurance life: four Falex pin and vee trials at 1,000 lbf (about 4.45 kN) must average at least 450 minutes, with no single trial below 390 minutes (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, 3.7). The specification sets no coefficient of friction limit, so a friction value on a data sheet is the maker's own figure, not a MIL-PRF-46010 requirement. The 10 fluids for the resistance test include reagent water, substitute ocean water, JP-8 aviation turbine fuel, MIL-PRF-23699 turbine engine oil and silicone damping fluid (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, Table I). Color 2 must closely match FED-STD-595 color 37038 and be no lighter than color 36076 (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, 3.16).

What tests must a MIL-PRF-46010 lubricant pass?

A MIL-PRF-46010 lubricant must pass the qualification inspection, which is the tests of paragraphs 3.3 through 3.14, before listing, and a conformance inspection of endurance life, salt spray, total solids and film adhesion (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, 4.2 and 4.3). Tests run at 25 ± 3 °C and 30 to 70% relative humidity unless otherwise specified (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, 4.4.1).

Panel preparation is fixed. Anodized aluminum and grit-blasted stainless steel panels are sprayed in not more than 3 coats and cured for 2 hours at 150 ± 15 °C, while phosphated steel panels, with a phosphate weight of 11 to 22 g/m2, are baked for one hour at 204 ± 15 °C (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, 4.4.2). The specification requires application "in a well-ventilated area or hood where no flame or ignition source is present" (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, 4.4.2.1); read the product's safety data sheet (SDS) before spraying, which US employers must keep for each hazardous chemical they use (OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(1), 2026).

ASTM states that D2625 "differentiates between bonded solid lubricants with respect to their wear life and load-carrying capacity" and that relative ratings may change if test conditions change (ASTM D2625-26, 2026). ASTM D2649 covers galvanic and environmental corrosion of dry solid film lubricants in contact with aluminum at high humidity (ASTM D2649-26, 2026). ASTM lists D2625-26, D2649-26, D2510-22 and D2511-26 as the active editions (ASTM International, 2023 and 2026). The specification fixes no edition: the issue in force is the one cited in the solicitation or contract (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, 2.3).

What must a purchase order state under MIL-PRF-46010H?

A purchase order under MIL-PRF-46010H should state seven items, per the specification's non-mandatory acquisition notes: the title, number and date of the specification; the color; the specific issue of referenced documents if required; packaging, packing and marking; FAR clause 52.223-3; application and surface preparation requirements; and hazardous material identification and material safety data (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, 6.2). The part number is M-46010-1 for natural color and M-46010-2 for black (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, 1.3).

The notes also say the lubricant should not be ordered for use beyond 12 months from the date of manufacture (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, 6.2.1). Awards are made only for products qualified for inclusion in QPL-46010 at the time set for opening of bids (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, 6.3).

FAR 52.223-3 requires the offeror to list hazardous material to be delivered and, before award, to submit a Material Safety Data Sheet meeting 29 CFR 1910.1200(g) and Federal Standard No. 313 (FAR 52.223-3, 2021). Since 1 February 2026, DoD contracting officers use the FAR Overhaul text of Part 23 under a class deviation (DoD, 2025), where 52.223-3 is titled Hazardous Material Identification and Safety Data (GSA, 2026); check the clause version in the solicitation. Appendix A gives surface pretreatments by metal, such as anodizing for aluminum, aluminum oxide blasting and phosphating at 11 to 22 g/m2 for steel, and passivation for stainless steel (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, A.3). Appendix A is not a mandatory part of the specification (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, A.1.1), so an order needing those pretreatments should name them.

What is the current status of MIL-PRF-46010?

As of 14 October 2026, MIL-PRF-46010H, dated 13 November 2013, is the current revision, and the DLA ASSIST database lists MIL-PRF-46010 as Active (DLA ASSIST, 2026). ASSIST shows a next review that was due on 12 November 2018 and no later revision, amendment or notice in the revision history (DLA ASSIST, 2026). The preparing activity is the Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center, and the lead standardization activity is DLA Aviation, Richmond (DLA ASSIST, 2026). ASSIST also states that amendments to military specifications issued after 1 August 2003 are incorporated in the modified document, so the H file it holds is the complete current text (DLA ASSIST, 2026).

The revision log below lists each issue that ASSIST holds, which shows which document an older drawing or contract may point to.

The H row is the one that matters for new orders. Revision H states that marginal notations were not used "due to the extensiveness of the changes" (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, 6.12), so in our reading a product qualified before 2013 should be checked against the H text clause by clause.

How does MIL-PRF-46010 differ from SAE AS5272?

MIL-PRF-46010 differs from SAE AS5272 mainly in field of use: MIL-PRF-46010H is the US military specification for non-aerospace uses, and SAE AS5272 is the aerospace procurement specification for heat-cured solid film lubricants. MIL-PRF-46010H states: "Types I and II lubricants previously found under MIL-L-0046010E are now under SAE Aerospace Standard AS5272." (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, 6.9). The same note says the SAE document still allowed lead to meet aerospace requirements as of 2013, that MIL-PRF-46010 products shall be used for other than aerospace applications, and that their use in aerospace must first be validated (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, 6.9).

SAE lists AS5272G, revised 11 September 2024, as the latest revision; its scope establishes the requirements for heat-cured solid film lubricants, refers other general or high-temperature applications to AS1701, and requires qualified products (SAE International, 2024). The table below compares what the public pages show; AS5272G clause values are not public and are not compared here.

The lead row is the one buyers miss most easily: a MIL-PRF-46010H product must contain no lead or lead compounds (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, 3.2), so a lead-containing film, including an earlier AS5272 product, is not a substitute.

When should you call a specialist about a MIL-PRF-46010 coating?

Call a coatings or tribology specialist about a MIL-PRF-46010 coating when the part, motion or environment falls outside the specification's intended use, or when a qualified product fails on the end item. The notes name the clearest cases: rolling-element bearings, rotary motion above 100 rpm under heavy loads where fluid lubricant contamination is possible, possible liquid oxygen contact, and materials harmed by a 204 ± 15 °C cure (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, 6.1.1). Small parts that run with very little clearance also need a check, because the cured film is relatively soft and any interference wears it rapidly until the interference is gone (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, A.3.8).

Call one too when a supplier proposes a changed formulation, because any formulation change requires requalification (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, 3.1), or when coupon results look good but parts fail, because the notes warn that laboratory coupons do not always correlate with performance on the actual end item (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, 6.7). Before stripping or recoating parts, read the product's SDS and dispose of containers in accordance with EPA, state and local regulations (MIL-PRF-46010H, 2013, 6.8). Lubinpla, an applied AI company, works cases like this from a company's own documents, such as TDS, SDS and certificates, and returns one cited document for review, with each step approved by the user.