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Hexagonal boron nitride, a.k.a. white graphite, is non-toxic, very very slippery, tends to stick to metal, tends to not have other substances stick to it, and seems to have worked very well in my first ride. Anyone have reasons why I should wash it off real quick? :-)

Jonathan Brickman of Topeka KS
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    keep riding, keep track of chain wear, and report back :) – Paul H Oct 13 '20 at 21:34
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    Is it expensive ? And how much dirt/grinding paste does it collect up over time? One of the advantages of Wax is that it doesn't collect dirt, and so doesn't go black over time. – Criggie Oct 13 '20 at 21:38
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    Interesting - one site I looked up $US70/lb so not OTT expensive. According to Wikipedia has weak link to causing pneumoconiosis so should be handled with care (i.e. best not to snort the powder :) ) . Very interested in the answers... – mattnz Oct 13 '20 at 23:26
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    I have no experience with white graphite, but I think you're OK. I feel like chain lube is something where there are a ton of opinions, and we all have the stuff we like. But the reality is that as long as you have something on there, you're fine. Just not grease, or anything that will aggressively attract dirt. – Ben Stokes Oct 22 '20 at 00:24
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    I see no problems with it besides the toxicity. There are lubricants that have it and information about its lubricating properties. You have my permission. So let it be written, so let it be done. – Andrew Oct 23 '20 at 02:39
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    @JEBofPonderworthy I note that there are different powder sizes (ranging from about .5 micron to about 2.5 micron in my very short check). Do you have any research to suggest an optimal size? I've just gotten into chain waxing, currently with paraffin, PTFE, and MoS2, but I'm curious about the benefits of other additives and this is a new one for me. – Andrew Oct 27 '20 at 19:22
  • Not yet, or at least, almost zero. I used 2.5 micron this time, and quite by accident, for my other purposes I have always used 0.5 micron. This is because my first purpose was mixing with motor oil: I found one (1) reference via Google giving a ratio which, when calculated, came very close to 1 ounce (by weight) per five quarts of oil, and 0.5 micron goes right through oil filters. Not so sure about 2.5 micron for the filtration. I would expect results for bicycle chain to change depending on the chain, because results should depend on the finish (pore size) of the metals involved. – Jonathan Brickman of Topeka KS Oct 30 '20 at 23:00

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Well, white graphite (or hexagonal boron nitride for all the big brainers) is fine to use as a lubricant, but like @mattnz said, don't snort it (mattnz is big brain). Regular graphite can be corrosive do certain metals with moisture, but as long as its white graphite, I don't see any issues that would pop up.

DripKracken
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    Questions: how does one effectively get white graphite in between the roller/bearing interface? Is there an effective carrier, does the carrier affect its properties? I assume if you can get white graphite into roller-bearing interface, rain or water could wash it out (i.e., not suitable for wet weather riding)? – Rider_X Oct 23 '20 at 03:39
  • Thus far I just poured some into a paper towel and pulled the chain through. It has clearly stuck around dry for nine days now, has been working very well so far, adhering to the metal considerably more than I had expected. The chain is running very quietly indeed. I begin to wonder about things like bearings, and cables.

    When working with an entry lockset, I push the stuff into the keyhole and crevices and then chase it with WD-40; after a few days of exercising, the WD-40 is evaporated and the powder is deep. I may try that as Phase 1 the next time I do my chain.

     – Jonathan Brickman of Topeka KS Oct 23 '20 at 03:46
  • @Rider_X Applying it as a suspension in rubbing alcohol or a similar solvent could work. – MaplePanda Oct 23 '20 at 05:25
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    @JEBofPonderworthy did you strip out all the lube prior to applying white graphite? Otherwise it would have mixed with the residual lube, thus acting as an additive. Personally, I think adding it as an additive to paraffin wax would make the most sense, as it is a carrier that remains in place once it hardens. – Rider_X Oct 23 '20 at 05:37
  • The chain was freshly cleaned professionally and then waxed, so indeed, an additive. – Jonathan Brickman of Topeka KS Oct 23 '20 at 21:13