Any industry that depends on machines also depends on lubricants. Different types of machines use different lubricants, optimizing the performance of machinery across industries. Ultimately, this leads to increased productivity and reduced costs. However, this is only true if the right lubricant has been applied.
This comprehensive guide differentiates the industrial lubricants available in the market, their applications, advantages, and considerations for optimal use.
What Are Industrial Lubricants?
Industrial lubricants are substances applied to reduce friction between machine surfaces in contact. Generally, lubricants serve the following critical functions in industrial applications:
- Friction Reduction: Lubricants create a thin film between moving surfaces, reducing direct contact and minimizing friction. This helps prevent wear and tear on components, extending their lifespan.
- Heat Dissipation: Lubricants help dissipate heat generated by moving parts by reducing friction. This prevents overheating and damage to equipment.
- Corrosion Protection: Lubricants form a protective barrier that prevents metal surfaces from contacting moisture and oxygen, which could result in rust and corrosion.
Types of Industrial Lubricants
- Mineral Oil Lubricants
Mineral oil lubricants are extracted from crude oil through refinement process. This type of lubricant is known for its high viscosity, therefore avoids thinning out even when subjected to high temperature. Moreover, mineral oil lubricants are inexpensive to manufacture compared to their synthetic counterparts. Due to its wide availability and compatibility, this industrial lubricant oil is often used in old Internal Combustion Engines (ICE), transmission fluids, gear oils, metalworking fluids, and other mechanical components.
- Synthetic Lubricants
Unlike mineral oil lubricants which are refined from naturally occurring crude oil, synthetic lubricants artificially come from chemically modified petroleum components or raw materials. Making synthetic lubricants involves removing impurities and enhancing their stability and performance through additives.
Given this refined characteristic, synthetic lubricants are the better option to use in extremely high and low temperatures. They are also more suitable for heavy-duty applications, such as turbocharged or hard-to-use engines, as they provide better protection and improved efficiency.
- Bio-based Lubricants
Growing environmental awareness has also prompted the formulation of more eco-friendly lubricant options. This is where bio-based lubricants come in. This sustainable lubricant variant is manufactured from renewable biological sources such as vegetable oils and animal fats. Given their components, bio-based lubricants are biodegradable, which reduces the environmental impact of oil spills and leakage.
Bio-based lubricants are widely used in industrial applications such as forestry, automotive, farm, railroad, and power transmission, where environmental contamination is a concern. They may also be applied in food-grade hydraulic fluids and greases to facilitate safe and sustainable operations in the food processing industry.
- Grease Lubricants
Grease lubricants are semi-solid or semi-fluid lubricants formed from a mixture of a thickening agent, a liquid lubricant, and other additives. Industrial greases are also thicker and more viscous than oil-based lubricants, which helps control leakages better.
This quality also offers a tighter and longer-lasting seal against contaminants. Thus, grease lubricants are more suitable for leakage control and sealing.
Greases are also typically used in applications where oil-based lubricants are not practical or effective, such as in open bearings, machinery operating intermittently, isolated systems, and extreme conditions like high temperatures and pressures.
- Solid Lubricants
Solid lubricants are a unique form of lubrication that can protect interacting surfaces even after the wet lubricating film is lost. They are often applied where liquid lubricants are impractical.
Moreover, solid lubricants maintain their lubricating properties in extreme conditions where conventional lubricants are inadequate. These are the best choice of lubricant for high-temperature environments, vacuum conditions, and applications requiring dry lubrication.
For instance, graphite is commonly used in non-vacuum applications and is effective at high temperatures up to 450°C. On the other hand, Teflon (Polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE) is an effective anti-wear additive that performs well in the presence of acids, bases, and solvents. However, they are not ideal for extreme temperatures and loads. For this, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) works best, and it is often used in high-load applications with temperatures up to 400°C.
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Innovative Lubricant Solutions from Fluid Solutions
Fluid Solutions specializes in providing a comprehensive range of high-quality industrial lubricants, including greases, specialty lubricants, and industrial oils. Its products are formulated to ensure maximum efficiency, performance, and environmental responsibility across various applications, from food-grade to heavy-duty machinery lubricants.
Fluid Solutions also designs its products with proprietary technologies to ensure superior performance and longevity. Fluid Solutions also holds certifications that attest to the quality and reliability of its lubricants.
Choose the Right Lubricant with Fluid Solutions
Selecting the right type of industrial lubricant is crucial for reducing friction, preventing wear, and extending the lifespan of machinery. These actions ultimately boost productivity and minimize costs.
Fluid Solutions offers a tailored approach to lubrication solutions, offering a diverse range of high-quality products designed to meet the unique demands of various industrial applications. Our expertise ensures you receive the optimal lubricant for your specific needs, enhancing equipment performance and operational efficiency.
Talk to us at Fluid Solutions to tailor lubricant solutions that enhance your machinery performance and longevity. You may reach us at (02) 8370 5928 / (0917) 894 9156 or via email at inquiry@fluidsolutions.com.ph to learn more.
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