Category: Industrial Lubricants

Types Of Lubricants And Their Uses

Lubricants have a wide range of uses in industrial machinery. They are useful for reducing the interference between the machine’s parts and help them work without any resistance due to friction. However, not all lubricants are the same or can be used for every type of machine. They all serve a specific purpose so it’s important that you understand the different types of industrial lubricants and their uses. It might seem like an easy breezy task, however, it is imperative that you have a profound knowledge of the different types of lubricants and their uses. This will prevent you from using the wrong lubricant or damaging the machine. Each type of lubricant has a specific application which is why knowing what a certain lubricant is made for is important for the health of the machine. This blog post highlights the different types of industrial lubricants commonly used in machinery and their purposes. Related topic: Know about the Basics of Automatic Lubrication System

Grease

Grease is a thick lubricant that is made by combining mineral oil and thickener. Lithium-based soaps are the most common thickeners, but there can be additional particles combined with the lubricants such as molybdenum disulfide, graphite, etc. At times, it also uses additional lubricants, like PTFE (Teflon). Since grease is much thicker than other types of lubricants, it adheres better to the surface. It also mixes well with other oil-based lubricants adding stickiness and allowing the lubricants to collect on the surface. Greases come in different thickness levels and work as a barrier to protect the surfaces from contaminants. The main uses of grease are:
  • They are ideal for lubricating linkages, chains, and bearings.
  • They are suitable if you want your lubricant to stick to the surface for a long time.
  • You want to seal out particles of dust from your machine.
However, grease is not suitable for parts which are fast-moving as grease can slow it down. Such thick grease will affect the mechanism, and thus, your machinery won’t function well.

Penetrating lubricants

Such types of lubricants are used for the protection of numerous stuck-bolt combatants. They cannot be used as long-lasting lubrication, and their only use is for infiltrating tiny cracks, adding lubrication, and breaking up rust. They are very thin and are often used to remove chewing gum from a surface or to loosen stuck nuts or bolts covered in rust or years of debris.

Oil

Oils are thin lubricants that are made of long polymer chains with some extra additives. Some antioxidants will keep the oil away from oxidation while some corrosion inhibitors are responsible for stopping the corrosion. It can be useful in long chains as it develops a slippery barrier between them. Such lubricants have a high boiling point, and a low freezing point, and have high resistance to oxidation and wear. Oil is a great lubricant when you don’t have to use grease and is ideal for lubricating small elements without disturbing anything else.

Dry Lubricants

The last type of lubricant is a dry lubricant that comes under the category of solid lubricants. They are a great alternative to oil and grease. They also help to protect those materials that attract dust and dirt. There are specific types of lubricants present in dry lubricants, such as silicon, molybdenum, graphite, PTFE. These tiny particles make dry lubricants super slippery. Dry lubricants are ideal for use on threaded rods, locks, hinges, or tiny parts that can’t be gunked up with grease. Moreover, they are also suitable for surfaces that have to be exposed to extremely high heat or pressure.

Get All Types Of Lubricants From Micro-Lube

Getting the right kind of lubricant is necessary to make your machines work fine for a long period. Micro-Lube is one of the finest hubs for every kind of lubricant along with various other oil and filtration product ranges. We are your trusted industrial lubricants supplier offering you a wide range of lubricants and other services. We ensure we fulfill your needs and requirements entirely and precisely. If you want to get in touch with us, contact us here.

Ways To Improve Lubrication Handling and Storage

If you want your lubrication program to work effectively and provide maximum return on investment, then you have to consider the whole gamut of lubrication. You have to pay proper attention to the program from its receiving to the application. There are many missed opportunities throughout this whole process, which if utilized can increase the equipment productivity and maximize the returns on your investments. Many industries and facilities are unaware of the danger improper lubricant storage and handling can bring and how it can affect the equipment’s reliability and lifespan. Proper lubrication is not only about the right amount at the right time at the right place, but it is also about keeping lubricants clean, cool, and properly identified. Industrial lubricants are dangerous and hazardous; they need proper handling and storage in order to protect the whole facility from any mishap. In this blog post, we will outline the best practices for the proper handling and storage of lubricants. Related blog: Know about the Basics of Automatic Lubrication System

Lube Room

If you want a successful lubrication program, you will need a properly designed lube room. A fully functional, expandable, and safe lube room is important for the popper handling of lubrication. The lube room will provide all the necessary handling and storage requirements that you will need to run a successful lube program. The lube room should be designed in such a way that it is able to provide maximum storage capacity without allowing for too much bulk oil and grease storage. By limiting the amount of bulk oil and grease storage you will be able to use the oils in a timely manner. While designing your lube room there are few important features that you should consider such as limited access doors. This type of door will tell you when a lube technician enters and leaves the room. There should be visible landing areas for the new lubricants which will allow you to log all new lubricant deliveries. And lastly, the lube room should have enough space for fireproof storage cabinets.

Quality Control

Quality control is one of the most important factors that make a lubricant program successful. So, your lubricants should be checked and verified when delivered by lubricant suppliers. This will ensure that the products you received are the original ones. This will also help you to ensure that the cleanliness of your lubricants is up to mark. The best way to ensure that your lubricants are meeting the standards is through using tool oil analysis. Oil analysis is a powerful tool and reveals the following things about lubricants.
  • Quality of base stocks
  • Additive quality and concentration
  • Lubricant performance properties
  • Thickener performance properties (grease)

Bulk Oil Storage

Most of your attention should be given to bulk storage because most contamination happens due to improper bulk storage. Whether you are storing your lubricants in a 20,000-gallon tank or in a 55-gallon drum you need to make sure the quality of your products is not tainted by contamination. To ensure that the lubricants stay in optimum condition, you will need to determine how much lubricant should be stored at one time. Here are a few steps that can be employed to help you aid this process.
  • Determine the lubricants consumption rate. In order to ensure that the right amount of lubricant is being stored at the facility, you will have to determine its consumption rate. The consumption rate will depend on the industry and equipment, other factors such as leaks and excessive drain will also contribute to the consumption.
  • The next step is to determine the storage capacity. The amount of required storage capacity will depend on the consumption of the lubricants. When there is proper storage capacity it will maximize the shelf life and will also allow a certain amount of excess lubricants to be stored for emergency situations.
  • Then you will have to determine the lubricants supplier turnaround time. The turnaround time of lubricant suppliers should be a metric in helping determine the number of lubricants stored. Because if there is a long time interval between deliveries then you could run into a shortage of products.
The aforementioned steps will help ensure the best bulk oil storage resulting in a successful lubrication program.

About Micro-Lube

Micro-Lube is a full-service conveyor lubrication Company with international experience and a genuine commitment to professional, affordable, and personalized service to our diverse customers. Our staff has over ten years of “hands-on” experience in conveyor and chain lubrication which has earned our customers confidence in our products and services. At Micro-Lube, you can find a wide range of lubricants for almost any kind of machine. We help provide you with the best lubricant for your machines and several other products related to filtration, dispensing, chain, conveyor, and more. Contact us for more information.

Why Monitoring Of Oil Condition Is Important?

Why Is Oil Condition Monitoring Important Machines in mechanical industries require constant observation and the right technical skills to monitor its performance. Any small negligence can lead to catastrophic failure and costly damages to the industry and to the country’s economy. The oil condition monitoring process is important to identify contaminants, degraded quality, and the expired life of a lubricant. This can help in timely changing the lubricant of the machine, thereby significantly reducing the chances of machine failure. Mechanical industries are an important asset and must be protected at all costs. Therefore, the process of monitoring oil condition plays an important role in evaluating the machines’ quality and performance. In this blog we discuss the importance of oil condition monitoring in the mechanical industry.

What Is Oil Condition Monitoring?

The main goal of the oil condition monitoring process is to study the changes in the performance of the machine that is caused due to the changes in the quality of the oil operating it. Considering this, you can assess the oil on different levels and properties and check its contamination level and chemical content. These results are then used to evaluate further properties and conclude whether it is suitable for the machine. Monitoring of Oil condition is widely used in the oil and gas industry to detect leaks in vessels and pipelines.

Importance Of Conducting The Oil Condition Monitoring Process

Machine failure can lead to significant downtime and loss of production. This not only affects the operations of your company but also its reputation.  is just as important a process as manufacturing your products. There are some significant reasons for opting for this process, and many companies have made it a part of their procedures.

Reducing Downtime

The main goal of any company is to gain a profit from their manufactured products without any downtime. In such cases, the oil condition monitoring process is essential to detect any issues in the early stages and reduce any probability of failure. This step reduces downtime and enhances maintenance resources, thereby increasing your profit.

Saves You Money

If the issues with your machine are not catered to, it can lead to bigger problems and cause more damage to your machine. The oil condition monitoring process saves you money by preventing secondary damage. This non-intrusive process is, thus, a savior for your machines allowing for long-term productivity.

Simplifies The Decision-Making Process

The process of oil changes, bleed, feed, top-offs, etc., is often difficult due to the changes in trends and the oil’s critical properties and lack of proper methods. However, the oil condition monitoring process simplifies this decision-making process. This method helps detect underlying problems with the oil so that you can change it on time.

How To Prevent Oil Contamination?

Protecting your machine’s oil from contamination can be achieved using various methods. The most important one is to use good quality oils that can last long without developing any problems. They must be stored in the right conditions, such as in sealed metal drums, to keep moisture out. Moreover, investing in the right technology to avoid contamination is also necessary.

Conclusion

Periodic oil analysis can bring about significant differences in the reliability of your machines. The oil condition monitoring method helps in the oil assessment and checking it for its quality and operational capacity. Many industries, such as energy, mining, rail, marine, etc., have started to adopt an online oil monitoring program to detect problems in their early stages.

About Micro-Lube

At Micro-Lube, you can find a wide range of lubricants for almost any kind of machine. We help you provide you with the best lubricant for your machines and several other products related to filtration, dispensing, chain, conveyor, and more. Contact us for more information.

Top 5 Ways To Conserve Lubricants In An Industrial Facility

For industries, conserving their resources and making sure there is no wastage of any kind is critical. The resultant cost saving helps businesses a great deal and also helps to build a profit. This blog talks about the top five ways you can conserve your lubricants in an industrial facility. Let’s have a look at the top ways you can achieve the efficient conservation of your lubricants.

Analyzing The Lubricant

Lubricant analysis holds a key position in conserving a lubricant and making full use of it. Lubricant experts can help you determine which lubricants have passed their life expectancy and which ones can still serve you for some more time. The lubricant’s health is checked, the experts base their decision on it, and decide whether you should replace the lubricant or keep on using it for some more time. Proper and accurate analysis helps the experts make the right decision. If the lubricant still has some life in it, it will not be wasted but used to its optimum for the business.

Storing And Organizing The Lubricants Properly

Storing and organizing the lubricant professionally and carefully helps conserve the lubricants and avoid wastage. Proper usage of the lubricant is only possible when you store and organize them according to a proper lubrication plan. The lubricants that will be in use shortly need to be more easily accessible and available than those that are not used as often. Similarly, keeping the storage place contamination-free is another critical aspect of storing and organizing the lubricants. Steps like these help conserve the lubricants in an industrial facility where accidents, slips, and falls can be a norm.

Filtering The Lubricant

It is not only about replacing the old lubricant with a new one. The Filtration of a used lubricant also plays a vital role in a lubrication program. If there is some life left and the lubricant’s condition is not very bad, filtration can enhance its lifespan for a few weeks or even months. It increases the lifespan of the lubricant and cleans the machinery of metal particles and other types of contaminants and pollutants that become mixed with the lubricant over time. These particles and other dangerous elements can wear down the machinery if not washed out through filtration.

Using Automatic Lubrication Systems

Making the overall lubrication process efficient is key to getting the best results. One of the ways is to use an automated filtration system. These systems ensure there is no waste of the lubricants during the process. Moreover, there is no weakness or inefficiency in the process. The automation can bring in time efficiency and accuracy, and proper cleanliness of the lubricant to maximize the advantages and benefits of the entire process.

Designated Lubrication Experts

Despite all the efforts you make to keep the conservation of your lubricants efficient, it is the effort and time of human beings who will make all the difference at the end of the day. If you designate the right people with the right expertise and qualities, the results will be desirable. Having the right people with the right expertise, doing the right job allows things to happen swiftly and smoothly. If you have separate lubrication experts and responsible people to monitor the usage and execute the lubrication process, you will get the best results. Micro-Lube has been contributing to the industry with its high quality and wide variety of lubrication products. We ensure that we meet your diverse needs and requirements. We offer lubrication products, filtration systems, storage and dispensing services. Get in touch with us for more information about industrial lubricants and for industrial lubricants suppliers in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Top Practices To Keep A Machine Well-Lubricated

Top Practices To Keep A Machine Well-Lubricated Keeping a machine appropriately lubricated is a crucial factor that affects its lifespan and functionality. There are some practices that professional Industrial lubricant suppliers and manufacturers suggest business owners and machine operators follow. Following these suggestions will ensure proper lubrication of the machinery leading to better operations and an extended lifespan.

Buy The Best Lubricant

Like most products, there is a myriad of lubricants available on the market. Hence, your first step towards ensuring the proper lubrication of any machine should be investing in a lubricant designed specifically for the types of operations it is used for. Make sure you do your research before buying a lubricant. Buying the wrong lubricant will result in the machine’s increased wear and tear.

Store It Properly

The next important thing is to make sure you store your lubricant in a safe place. By a safe place, we mean that it should be placed in an environment that is contamination-free, dry and relatively cool. Try to prevent any dust particles, water, and any other type of chemical from contaminating the lubricant. Moreover, most lubricants come with specific storing temperatures and a few other conditions. Hence, make sure you read these labels and ensure the storage area adheres to the requirements of the lubricant.

Use The Lubricant Timely

The next factor that needs to be considered is timeliness. Each lubricant has a specific shelf life, after that its efficacy is greatly reduced. Moreover, you are required to lubricate your machinery at certain times. Each lubricant has to be refreshed after a few weeks. Some lubricants, once added to the machine, are good to go for as long as eight weeks while others have to be re-added after four weeks. Hence, depending on the lubricant you are using, make sure you adhere to the maintenance schedule recommended by the manufacturer.

Monitor Lubricant Levels

Monitoring the level of lubricant in the machine should be a part of your machine maintenance routine. Even if refreshing the lubricant is not due for another few days, it is a good idea to check your lubricants levels regularly. If your lubricants level drops after every checkup this means that your machine is consuming and wasting more lubricant than usual. This hints that in-detail maintenance of the machine is due.

Check The Lubricants Condition

You must also keep an eye on what condition your lubricant is in. If the condition of your lubricant deteriorates before your planned lubricant change, you need to change it. Doing so can avoid possible damage to the machine. A proper plan for lubrication must include regular and random inspections of the lubricant inside the machinery and its storage. This will help ensure that nothing wrong happens to the lubricants.

Filter The Oil If Necessary

If you don’t want to change your lubricant with a new one every time the machine is maintained you can always filter the existing oil. Filtering increases the life of the lubricant. However, after filtering and reusing the oil two or three times, you will have to replace it. You can save a huge amount of money by filtering and reusing the lubricants’ oil.

Replace The Lubricant On Time

Lastly, replacing the lubricant at the right time is crucial to ensure the machine’s proper functioning. If you delay the replacement of the lubricant, it can cause damage to the machinery. It will also affect business by slowing down the machine and affecting its productivity. Lower productivity results in less profit generation. Therefore, it is critical to keep your machinery well-lubricated to ensure business growth. Micro-Lube offers a wide range of industrial lubricants. We ensure you get the best lubrication solutions to keep your industrial machinery working at its optimum potential. To get in touch with us, click here.

Factors You Need To Consider When Choosing A Lubricant

Factors You Need To Consider When Choosing A Lubricant The right choice of lubricant has a huge effect on the way your machinery operates. Machinery is the backbone of many businesses and it is imperative to choose the right maintenance ingredients to keep them running efficiently. One of the best ways to keep your machines maintained is by hiring experienced and professional industrial lubricant suppliers to help you select the right lubricant for your machinery. Let’s now see why it is important that you select a suitable lubricant for your industrial machinery.

The Composition

The composition of a lubricant needs to be ideal to ensure the seamless functionality of your machines. A suitably composed lubricant can benefit the machinery and serve its desired purpose. An ill composed lubricant will neither benefit the machinery nor meet your expectations. As a result of an inaccurate choice of a lubricant, you will not achieve the desired results from the lubrication process. You must, therefore, look at the composition and the purpose for which a particular lubricant has been made. Selecting a lubricant randomly can cost you a lot of money and in some cases may also result in machine failure.

The Purpose Or Function It Performs

Different lubricants have different purposes and capabilities. When selecting a lubricant for your machinery, you need to be careful. Make sure the purpose or function of the lubricant is according to your needs. If you select the right lubricant with a suitable purpose and function, you will get the desired results. It is imperative that you know which lubricant you need and whether the lubricant you are buying has the characteristics you need to serve your purpose.

The Machine You Need The Lubricant For

The type of machine will also determine which lubricant you need to choose. For instance, conveyor chains need different kinds of lubricants compared to a crushing machine. You must consider your machines and their functionality. This will ensure maximum performance and will optimize the operations of your machinery. Choosing the right lubricant will also prevent heavy repairs in the long run. In addition to this, experts advise that you also factor in the age of the machine while choosing a lubricant. New machines need rather mild lubricants, whereas old machinery will require more composed lubricants to keep the old metal alive.

Cost Effectiveness

While choosing a lubricant, ensure it lies within your budget. Don’t go for premium lubricants if you don’t believe you will be able to afford it in the future. Try to reach for sustainable practices. However, at this point it is important to note that compromising on the quality of the lubricant because of its price is not very intelligent. Selecting the right lubricant will affect the way your machine operates in the long run. Micro-Lube offers a wide variety of lubrication products to match your lubrication needs precisely and accurately. We have specialized and trained professionals who suggest the best possible lubrication solutions to solve your problems. Our experts also give you the best suitable lubrication program for your machines to ensure you use the right lubricants. To get in touch with us, click here.

How A Proper Lubrication Program Can Help The Manufacturing Industry

How A Proper Lubrication Program Can Help The Manufacturing Industry The manufacturing industry holds a key position in the economy and well-being of a country. The role of a proper lubrication program designed by professional industrial lubricant suppliers is a significant part of the manufacturing industry. It enables them to keep the health of their machines in check and manufacture the products to meet the end consumers’ requirements.

Ensures Business Continuity

A proper and adequate lubrication program plays an important role in helping a manufacturing business running with continuity. To keep the business running and to develop a brand name, it is important that the manufacturing facility keeps producing its products at an average speed. Ensuring this will not only lead to employees getting paid on time, but also develop a sense of satisfaction around the workplace. Moreover, the company will have the space and capacity to develop and manufacture new products periodically. The proper lubrication of machines in an industry prevents any issues in the long run. Since these machines are quite expensive, faults and issues caused by scarce maintenance can be a huge economical blow. Thus, ensuring their regular maintenance and lubrication will prevent breakdowns and other similar issues.

Keeps Productivity Levels High

The production rate of your machines has great implications on the supply chain. If a manufacturer’s machinery keeps on wearing down again and again due to improper lubrication, it gets difficult to meet requirements. Lubricating your machinery on time plays a crucial role in minimizing the chances of damage to the machinery and the consequent loss of productivity. Lubricants keep the machine working at a rapid pace without disruptions.

Avoid Damage To The Machinery

A correctly implemented lubrication program ensures no damage to the internal components of the machinery. Hence, the machines remain in good condition keeping the manufacturing rate stable. The production rate is kept to meet the supply chain’s demands. The smooth running of the machine’s components working in close contact with each other, results in less or no wear and tear. In this way, the machine avoids internal damage and keeps on working efficiently. When there is no damage to the machinery, there is no danger of disruptions.

Keeps The Economy Rolling

Due to a proper lubrication program, the machines are able to keep on producing products at a stable rate. This helps to develop a stable pay structure and supply chain. It keeps the economy rolling and circulating the money to relevant sectors directly and indirectly. Surprisingly, many people are unaware of the benefits of an effective lubrication program and the results of its proper implementation in the industry.

Enhances Machinery Lifespan

One of the most direct effects of proper lubrication is on the enhancement of the machinery’s life. When you filter or replace the lubricant on time, it avoids the damage to the machine’s internals. Consequently, increasing a machine’s lifespan. In addition to its longer lifespan, the business saves money on repairs. With proper lubrication, irreversible damage can be avoided.

Motivates Manufacturers

A proper lubrication program designed and implemented by industrial lubricant suppliers keeps the business and its machines rolling. It also keeps business owners motivated to do more and improve their business manifolds. When business owners struggle to enable their machines to continue producing goods, they cannot focus on the other matters of growing their business. Proper lubrication can give business owners the peace of mind they need to go the extra mile and take their businesses to the next level. Micro-Lube is a professional and experienced industrial lubricant supplier in Edmonton. We have a complete range of high-end lubricants to suit your lubrication needs. To get in touch with us, click here.

Things To Consider While Dispensing A Lubricant

Things To Consider While Dispensing A Lubricant If you think that buying a lubricant and storing it is all you need to focus on, this is not entirely true. Oil dispensing is also an essential part of lubricant handling. Most people ignore it because it may be the last step after procuring and storing the lubricant in a suitable place within your industrial facility.

Use A State Of The Art Dispensing System

The first thing you need to ensure before dispensing your lubricant is to buy the best dispensing system. This will ensure that you can transfer the lubricant from the storage location to the machinery safely. Moreover, it ensures that you transfer the correct quantity to the machinery to enable it to function perfectly.

Avoid Any Spilling

Most incidents that happen during the dispensing of a lubricant involve spilling. This happens when a substandard dispensing system or other equipment is used. There are more chances of spilling the lubricant on the floor before it reaches its destination. When you spill the lubricant, it costs you money and causes a delay in the machinery’s operation. Consequently, the business may suffer a significant loss. In addition to the economic loss and hampered business continuity, spilling the lubricant increases the threats of slips and falls. Using quality oil dispensing equipment and following its SOP’s strictly will enable you to efficiently conduct the dispensing of the lubricant to its machinery.

Avoid Lubricant Contamination

Another significant element to take care of is to ensure that you don’t expose the lubricants to any contamination. Keeping the lubricant contamination-free during the storage and dispensing process is critical in an efficient lubrication program. Once the lubricant is contaminated, it is almost impossible to make it reusable again. Once it loses its purity and integrity it’s game over. This is why it is crucial to ensure that no contamination like dust, water, chemicals, or other types of harmful materials come in contact with the lubricant.

Ensuring The Right Lubricant In The Right Machine

You can’t afford to put the wrong lubricant in a machine. It will destroy the performance of the machinery and may also cause damage to its components. You need to be very watchful when handling and storing the lubricants in your industrial facility. You can carefully label the lubricant containers to avoid any mistakes by your staff members responsible for the lubricants dispensing, maintaining, and handling. A slight mistake while dispensing the lubricant to the machine can cause severe damage to the machinery and the business. The working conditions of your machine like its temperature and workload will determine which lubricant will perform best. If you use the wrong lubricant by mistake, it may not serve the purpose.

Following The Timeline Strictly

Last but not least is to follow the proper timeline for every machine. Dispensing the lubricant from the machine on time is as crucial as anything else we have discussed above. This is because delaying the replacement of a lubricant can deteriorate the condition and performance of your machinery. The longer you keep a lubricant in storage, the higher the chances of contamination, expiring, and other types of damage. Following the deadlines of the lubrication program ensures the efficiency and productivity of the lubricant and the machinery. Micro-Lube is the most experienced lubricant provider in Edmonton. We offer a complete range of lubricants and help you make and implement an effective lubrication program. To get in touch with us, click here.

5 Different Types Of Grease Used In Industrial Applications

Industrial machinery requires grease for its effective and smooth running. This is due to the grease’s ability to reduce the friction between various components and parts of these machines and allow them to run smoothly. In addition to this, greases are also used for vessels and vehicles. Each type of grease is manufactured differently, and no two greases are similar. These unique properties allow each type of grease to have different functions. Grease contains thickener, base oil, and additives. What sets them apart from one another is the additive. Some greases are designed for high speed, while others are designed for high pressure.

Uses Of Grease

Traditionally, grease was used to keep vessels, vehicles, machines, and their components lubricated at all times; now, they serve other purposes as well. Due to their versatility, greases or lubricants have found a wide-range of applications across industries, such as manufacturing, automotive, mining, steel, construction, marine, the farming industry, and so on. Continue reading our post to find out more about the different types of grease used in industrial applications.

Different Greases & Their Applications

Lithium Grease

Lithium grease is a multipurpose grease and is commonly known for its high viscosity, durability, and stability. Its design provides long-lasting protection against corrosion, extreme temperatures, oxidation, as well as wear and tear. These greases are known for their high water resistance, excellent lubrication, long-lasting performance, smooth running, and ability to withstand shock loads and high pressure. They are suitable for multiple applications, such as bearings, chassis, winches, automotive, axle arrangements, industrial, gardening, household, and other metal-to-metal applications.

Calcium Grease

One of the first greases to be manufactured for general use was Calcium grease. A high-temperature environment or activity affects its structure, resulting in reduced capability. Thus, it is well-suited only for low-temperature environments. Some of its key features include great mechanical stability, water resistance, and corrosion protection by smoothening friction. Its water resistance makes it a suitable option for marine use. Other applications of calcium grease include automotive, agriculture, and industrial.

Polyurea Grease

Polyurea grease gained popularity due to its outstanding water-resistant capability, oxidation, mechanical stability, rust and corrosion prevention, durability, versatility, and high-temperature performance. These properties make polyurea grease suitable for life-long applications across various industries. Polyurea grease is considered vital for the proper lubrication of electric motor bearings, CV joints, pulleys, and steel plants among machine owners. Also, due to the absence of soap, it is recommended for low noise applications.

Bentone Grease

It is a clay-based, non-soap grease developed with bentonite clay. This grease type has no known dropping point and is called a non-melt lubricant. It has high-temperature resistance as it can retain its stability at any temperature. It has great mechanical or shear stability, exceptional water tolerance, and impressive adhesiveness. Its high viscosity provides effective protection for bearings and is ideal for highly demanding applications. It is typically used in the steel, construction, manufacturing, ceramic, and mining industries.

Sodium Grease

Sodium grease is formulated by mixing soda soap with base oils and additives and has a fibrous texture. This mixture provides good mechanical or shear stability, good rust protection, a high dropping point, and good lubrication. However, it has poor water resistance and oxidation stability. Due to these shortcomings, sodium grease is now mostly used for lubricating wheel bearings. It is a low-cost grease as it requires mixing with other greases to produce a higher quality grease for satisfactory results. Micro-Lube has been in the lubrication industry for years. We offer the best range of lubricants and related products, including filtration systems, dispensing, storage, and more. To learn more about us, click here. Related blog:  Know about the Basics of Automatic Lubrication System    

4 Different Lubrication Methods For Conveyor Chains

4 Different Lubrication Methods For Conveyor Chains Machinery has to undergo a lot of work and resistance. It badly impacts their life and performance capability. The corrosion of a machine can limit the horsepower capacity of its chain drives, thereby reducing their potential and usage. Lubricating the machinery becomes an important part of keeping it in good condition for a long time. Tensile, fatigue, and wear can affect the performance of the conveyor chains. The tensile causes stretches in the chain that can affect its performance or pull it apart. It also causes microscopic cracks in the sidebars and link plates. This wear combined with corrosion and abrasion degrades the life of the conveyor chain, and ultimately, the chain breaks. Lubrication can positively affect the conveyor chains’ performance and enhance its functioning. This blog post mentions how lubrication can positively impact the conveyor chain and the different types of lubrication methods.

How Does Lubrication Positively Impacts The Conveyor Chain?

Proper lubrication and the usage of the right kind of lubricant can improve the lifespan of the conveyor chain. It can increase its lifespan by as much as 100 times. The wear percent in comparison to the life of the chain increases when lubrication is provided on time. Lubrication greatly reduces the coefficient of friction between the sliding surfaces that helps in the reduction of wear and tear. It impedes rust and corrosion and provides a cushion for impact loads. Moreover, it also helps to flush away any foreign matter such as dust.

Different Types Of Lubrication Methods For Conveyor Chains

Manual Lubrication

This involves manually adding the lubricant into the inner and outer link plate of the chain. Manual lubrication is done using an oil can, brush, and aerosol spray. You should do manual lubrication almost every day to ensure that the machine is working fine. Manual lubrication is a cost-effective solution for lubrication. However, it impacts productivity, and the chances of injury are higher.

Oil Bath Lubrication

In this method, there is oil in the chain basin. A small section of the chain passes through this section of oil. The bottom of the chain should be fully immersed in this oil. However, it should not be too deep or too shallow as it will affect the oil and cause oxidation.

Drip Lubrication

Oil is supplied by drip-feeding in this type of lubrication method. The oil is dripped between the link plates and sidebar edges at a rate of four to twenty drops per minute. The amount of oil and frequency is very important. Otherwise, it will form a reddish-brown discoloration in the chains’ joints. This method is suitable for machinery with spatial constraints. However, you should be careful with drip lubrication as the drains plug can leak, and the oil can spill. Ensure that the flow rate is properly specified and the oil is directed to the chain in this lubrication method.

Force-Feed Lubrication

In this type of lubrication method, the feeding pump and oil pipe supply the spray of oil to the chains’ parts. The gearing places of the chain and the spray nozzles should be near each other. This method is ideal for machines with large horsepower, heavily loaded drives, and high speed. The force-feed method is costly but effective. Other Lubrication Methods For Chain Conveyor are:
  • Oil ring lubrication
  • Brush lubrication
  • Oil stream or spray lubrication

About Micro-Lube

At Micro-Lube, you can find a wide range of lubricants for almost any kind of machine. If you need diverse lubricants, contact us for more information about our lubricants and similar services.

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