Industrial Lubricants Archives

Importance Of Industrial Lubricants In Variety Of Sectors

Industrial lubricants have a use every day in a variety of industries, from automotive to food & beverage. While their concept is simple enough, the impact they have on these sectors cannot be understated. Without them, industrial processes would slow down and production times would drastically increase. Here we will look at why these oils and greases are so important. In both largescale manufacturing plants and smaller shops alike. The importance of using quality industrial products such as greases and oils should never be underestimated. Even small slips can make all the difference between an optimized process running smoothly or grinding painfully to a halt midway through its cycle. With us, know why oiling components is important but how often operators should do it too. Keeping factories productive while avoiding costly breakdowns along the way!

Introduction to Industrial Lubricants

In the industrial world, lubricants are fundamental. Keeping machines running smoothly is at the heart of any production process. But choosing a lubricant for gear systems or hydraulic applications is difficult if you don’t understand their function and properties. Do you know what viscosity to choose? Or which type of additive should go into your selection? With so many options on the market, it could seem like a daunting task to find the right solution for your machinery, until now! We are here to explain clearly and concisely all about industrial lubricants. How they work, when they should be used, how and why certain additives help them fulfil their job better. without overwhelming jargon or overly complicated explanations.

Advantages of Using an Automatic Lubrication System for Your Equipment

When it comes to lubricating your equipment, you have a few options: manual oiling, automatic oiling systems, and automated lubrication systems. From an efficiency standpoint, automated lubrication systems can save you time and money overall. They specifically have a design to provide precise amounts of lube at carefully timed intervals so that all parts remain adequately protected from wear. Automated Lubrication Systems (ALS) are widely in use by industries across the globe for efficient and accurate lubrication of machines. The benefits include higher production rates owing to reduced downtime for maintenance; improved product quality due to better control over operating parameters; environmental protection through minimized oil spills; as well as extended service life of machinery components.

Features of Industrial Lubricants In Variety Of Sectors

Keeping industrial machining cool and running smoothly that’s the goal of any maintenance team. Industrial lubricants are an essential part of any good program, as they provide a barrier between moving parts to minimize friction, heat, sound pollution, and wear. But which type of lubricant is best for your business? The answer depends on many factors: temperature range in the facility; speed at which equipment operates; expected life cycle length; environmental safety regulations; etc. Fortunately, there are many different types available designed to address specific applications and operating conditions. Industrial machinery runs best with appropriate levels of quality lubrication using specialized products formulated for harsh environments such as high-pressure applications or extreme temperatures. Choosing the ideal oil or grease requires analysis of working conditions such as viscosity level needed, amount required/time intervals needed between refills, potential contamination sources from outside sources (such as water).

Uses & Benefits of Different Types Of Industrial Lubricants

Keeping industrial machinery running is essential for business operations. Lubrication helps components run more smoothly and with less friction, eliminating the risk of breakdowns or malfunctions that could cost valuable time and money. Industrial lubricants can improve overall equipment performance, reduce maintenance costs, increase efficiency, extend system life cycle, and alleviate environmental concerns caused by leakage or waste. But not all lubricants are equal, different types perform better in specific applications under certain conditions. The right industrial lubricant can make a big difference when it comes to peak performance in your facility. There are various categories of industrial lubricant products available, from greases to fluids, as well as common industries where they are in use effectively. When it comes to industrial lubricants, today’s modern market offers an overwhelming selection of options. Not only for automotive and machinery applications but also almost any setting or industry that requires some form of lubrication. Industrial lubricants are available for a wide range of sectors such as construction, mining, manufacturing, and aerospace. And each sector has its own unique set of demands requiring tailored solutions. While there are multiple categories, based on composition, of the variants available. Each type brings its own benefit to specialized applications across all sectors including automotive manufacturing and food processing.

Conclusion

Lubrication is a vital part of any system that utilizes moving mechanical components. Regardless of the industry, equipment is subject to wear and tear due to friction caused by regular use. While oil may be more commonly used in many systems for its low viscosity and fast spreading nature. Grease has several advantages that make it the perfect choice for some applications. Especially when an automated approach is required. Relying on manual monitoring can mean sacrificing efficiency or risking violation of safety regulations if something slips through the cracks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is there a need for industrial lubricants if you can hire a person to lubricate?

Industrial machines don’t just require lubrication, but also automation. Many manufacturers are starting to rely on industrial lubricants to save them time and money. Hiring someone extra to grease your machines may be one way companies can keep their equipment running smoothly, but it’s far from being the most effective solution. Even though putting individuals in charge of manually oiling and greasing tools requires less upfront costs, eventually, selecting industrial lubes carries more advantages.

Are automatic lubrication systems worth investment eventually?

Lubrication of moving components is an essential part of any industry’s maintenance and upkeep. To guarantee efficient operation, bearings, transmission systems, motors and pumps are kept in optimal performance with lubricants. But applying greases and oils manually is often arduous, time consuming and sometimes just plain forgotten! Automatic lubrication systems allow for centralized, uninterrupted automatic grease lubrication or oil dispensing that helps maintain your equipment at peak performance with minimal effort.

What are exactly various sectors using industrial lubrication?

Lubrication is one of the oldest industrial practices and has been around since early civilization. From primitive fish oil to today’s high tech synthetic lubricants, this seemingly simple concept has become an integral part of nearly every industrial process. This form of lubrication is used in most manufacturing processes, including chemical plants, paper mills, food processing plants, electrical utilities, and many other industrial sectors. No matter if you’re running a factory or an automobile garage. There’s something out there to help you get the best performance from your equipment! Contact our experienced engineer for more information about the uses of industrial lubricants in variety of sectors.

What are the Basics of industrial lubricants? Know Before Purchasing Them.

Industrial lubricants are liquids that reduce friction between moving parts and help keep machines running smoothly. Are you here to know the basics of industrial lubricants? They have a variety of uses in a variety of industries, including manufacturing and manufacturing processes. Knowing what makes up your lubricant will help you find the right product. These are the oils and greases for industrial applications, such as automotive and heavy equipment industries. They protect the moving parts of machines from wear and tear while providing lubrication to reduce friction. The basics of industrial lubricants include oil and grease. We all know that oil is suitable for a machine, but did you know it’s also good for your industrial equipment? The right kind of oil will keep your machinery running smoothly. It can make a huge difference in how well your machine performs. If you are looking for industrial lubricant, there are several things to consider before purchasing:

How much protection do you need? Do you need something that lasts longer than regular motor oil (up to 10 years), or would just one year be enough?
You should also consider how often your machine is in use—if it’s only in use once every month or two, then one year isn’t going to cut it!

Importance Of Industrial Lubricants

Industrial lubricants are chemicals and materials that help keep machines running smoothly. They are important because they help keep your equipment working at its highest efficiency, saving you money, and making your workplace safer.

Here are a few basics of industrial lubricants:

There are three main types of lubricant: wet, dry, and synthetic. Wet lubricants are oil-based products in either a paste or liquid form. Dry lubricants come from solid particles like graphite or molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), which absorb moisture from the air and serve as a protective coating for moving parts. Synthetic lubricants contain no petroleum products but rely on non-petroleum ingredients such as silicone grease or hydrogenated polyisobutene (HPI). An industrial lubricant is a liquid to improve machines’ performance. These machines include:

Motors
Gearboxes
Axles and wheels
Pumps and fans
Other Machinery

There are three basic types of industrial lubricants: greases, oils, and water-based fluids. Each type has its own unique properties that make it ideal for specific applications. For example, oils provide better protection against rust than greases because they don’t absorb as much moisture as greases when exposed to air. However, they don’t help keep metals from becoming sticky when they come into contact with them as water-based fluids do. So, when choosing an industrial lubricant, it’s important to choose one that fits your needs exactly!

Overall

Industrial lubricants are oils explicitly designed for heavy-duty machinery and other equipment for manufacturing and construction. They are usually heavier and thicker than standard motor oil and contain additives that help reduce friction between metal surfaces. They are typically blended for specific purposes and made from high-quality base stocks that provide long-lasting wear protection. Contact us for more information about industrial lubricants.

What Are The Different Types Of Lubricants And What Are Their Applications?

Although the primary function of lubricants is to lessen the friction between two surfaces, all lubricants are different. Due to its simple nature, lubricating tasks are often assigned to new employees or apprentices. It may look easy, but the technicalities about the nature and functioning of the lubricant being used should match the nature of your needs. Therefore, it is beneficial to have a thorough knowledge of different types of industrial lubricants. This ensures that any incorrect type of lubricant is not used for the incorrect application, reducing machine downtime and failures. You will also be able to select trusted industrial lubricants suppliers to get the best quality products. Let’s begin with the basics. There are four major types of industrial lubricants;

Oil
Grease
Penetrating lubricants
Dry lubricants

The two most common types of lubricants you will encounter in your daily life are oil and grease, but there are ample chances that your facility will be using dry and facility lubricants in one way or another. So, it is critical to know when and when not to use these lubricants. The following blog post explains different types of lubricants and their applications.

Grease

Greases are created by combining oil (generally mineral oil) and combiners (such as lithium-based soaps). Greases like molybdenum disulfide, graphite, and others may need some exclusive thickeners as well. Grease has the ability to mix with the lubricants in the oil, adding thickness and enabling the lubricant to collect particles from the surface. It can also act as a barrier between the surface and the contaminants that can damage them.

When Should You Use Grease?

The best places and instances to use grease as a lubricant are;

For chains, gears, bearings, and linkages.
When you want to keep the dust and water droplets out.
You want the lubricant to stick to the surface for an extended time.
When there are chances that you may forget to oil a machine because you use it so infrequently.

Learn More: Tips For Trouble-Free Grease Lubrication

Situations Not Suitable For Grease Use

When your machine has fast-moving and fine parts, grease can slow their movement and impact the machine’s efficiency.
Moving parts can make the grease fling making it difficult to keep the working area clean and hazard-free.
In the instance where thick grease can act as too much of a barrier for a fast-moving machine.

Oil

Oils are thin liquids made up of long chains of polymers and some additional additives. The most common additives are antioxidants which prevent the oil from getting oxidized, and corroded, which prevent oils from having deposits. Oils are difficult to squeeze between the long chains, although you can lower the friction between them by using oils as barriers.

When Should You Use Oil?

Hinges, tool maintenance bearings, and blade sharpening.
You want to lubricate the surface without dealing with resistance which is common in the case of grease.
You want to lubricate but don’t want to disassemble everything, so you put oil in the small spaces.

Penetrating Lubricants

Penetrating lubricants work as a shield for several stuck-bolt combatants. However, penetrating lubricants are not meant for long-term lubrication. Due to their low viscosity, these lubricants are good enough to penetrate the small cracks on the surface, increase lubrication, and remove the rust by splitting it.

When To Use A Penetrating Lubricant

To unseize stuck bolts or nuts. This will set them free even if they have years of rust or debris stuck on them.
To perform warehouse repair tasks, remove adhesive stickers, and remove the stubborn chewing gum from the surface.

Dry Lubricant

Dry lubricants contain special types of materials such as silicon, molybdenum, PTFE, and graphite. They have a very slippery molecular nature that helps them reduce the friction between the surfaces. They are also present in the form of sprays where these materials are mixed with water, alcohol, and other volatile liquids that evaporate after application.

When To Use Dry Lubricant

Where you don’t want to use a lubricant that attracts dust.
Locks, threaded logs, and hinges.
On surfaces that can experience extremely high temperatures.

About Micro-lube

Micro Lube is a full-service conveyor lubrication company based in Edmonton. We aim to use our international experience to provide professional, affordable, and personalized service to our diverse customer base. Our expertise in chain and conveyor lubrication has earned us great customer confidence in both our products and services. To know about the types of industrial lubricants and their quality, contact us now. Also Know about Know about the basics of industrial lubricants

Benefits Of Using Chain Lubricants | Micro-Lube

Generally, machines will not operate with a dry or rusty chain, almost every industry requires high-quality chain lubricants for their machinery. Although, different chain lubricants are used in different industries depending on the type of machinery and their usage. Various factors are involved in selecting a lubricant that can suit the demands of your machinery. For instance, a lubricant that serves well for textile machinery might not work well on bike chains. Regardless of the type of lubricant, each chain oil serves the same purpose and provides similar benefits to every machine. So chain lubricants are equally important for the efficient working of machines in every industry. To maintain the efficiency of the machines, the right choice of chain lubricant should be made. Using the wrong lubricant is as dangerous as not using a chain lubricant. Because a chain lubricant that does not suit the requirements of the machine can damage the chain material as well as the machinery. However, engine oil and machine lubricant providers, supply chain lubricants that suit your machine. You can also take the advice of expert lubricant suppliers to find the best solution that can serve your machine well and increase its performance. To understand the importance of chain lubricants the benefits of using them are discussed further in this blog. Hence, every machinery can get the same advantages regardless of the type of lubricant they use.

Smooth Working

A chain is used to operate different parts of a machine, so the working of the chain can affect the working of parts connected to it. The use of chain lubricant helps it rotate smoothly so that the parts connected to the chain can also have smooth movement. Along with that, the chain lubricants eliminate rusting and chances of breakage. A chains’ lubricant not only keeps the material of the chain in good condition but also protects it from damage. The lubricants behave as a protective shield on the chain that keeps it greasy and protects it from damage. Therefore, by using the proper lubricant the chain can be used for a long time as the lubricant increases the efficiency and life of the chain.

Low Energy Consumption

Commonly, the chain is responsible for the movement of the wheels, motor etc, so smooth and trouble-free movement of the chain is mandatory to operate the parts connected to it. On the other hand, if the chain is not working properly the engine will exert more effort to operate at the required speed, consequently, the engine will consume more energy to operate the machine. So using a chain lubricant can minimize the energy consumption as it helps the chain operate with good speed.

Saves On Repair Costs

Chain lubricants keep the structure and material of the chain in good condition, a dry and rusty chain can break due to high-speed rotation. The lubricants protect the chain due to which repairing costs are saved and work for a long time without needing to be repaired.

Less Maintenance

Generally, the chain is considered accurate, if it is working smoothly with excellent rotation speed. Less maintenance is required on machines that are operating accurately. Moreover, it is quite difficult to remove the chain from the machine for frequent maintenance. Hence, using chain lubricants can help you keep the chain intact in the machine for a long period of time. Also, you can save the effort and cost required for the maintenance of the chain.

Reduce Noise

A dry, damaged or un-greasy chain makes a lot of noise which affects its surroundings. Dry chains generate a very loud sound during rotation. Also, increased noise represents that it’s time for lubrication. Thus, lubricating the chain makes it greasy and easy to operate, eventually, minimizing its rotation sound. Also Read: Possible Causes Of A Noisy Bearing

About Micro-Lube

Micro-Lube is a lubrication service provider. We at micro-lube provide exceptional lubrication products and services for your industrial and personal machinery. We aim to give professional, affordable, and personalized service to our valuable customers. Our experienced team can handle all lubrication tasks related to conveyor, and chain lubrication. In addition to lubrication, we also provide filtration services for your lubricants. You can check our wide range of products to find lubricants, filters, oil dispensers, and storage products. If you need any of our products, feel free to contact us, our team will give you the detailed information.

Some Common Terms Related To Industrial Lubricants

Being in the industrial industry requires you to be familiar with everything that can make your company grow and increase your business PR. However, many people don’t realize the importance of having the right education and knowledge about certain terms to help them understand their industry better and prepare them to combat any challenges. Micro-lube has been in the industrial lubricants industry for several years now, and we are ready to serve you with any assistance you want regarding industrial lubricants. You can read our blog section to learn about industrial lubricants, their usage, their benefits, and more. This blog post mentions some common and useful terms used for industrial lubricants. Knowing these terms will make the process of industrial lubricants easier for you from buying, using, and keeping them for years.

Abrasion

Abrasion refers to the general wearing of the machine’s surface, often caused due to lack of proper lubrication and exposure to grime, dust, and dirt.

Absolute Viscosity

Absolute viscosity is a term that is used interchangeably with viscosity. It is used to distinguish it from kinematic viscosity or commercial viscosity. Absolute viscosity is a fluid’s internal resistance to flow. It is divided by fluid density equals kinematic viscosity, and the unit of absolute viscosity is poise. Considering the absolute viscosity while buying an industrial lubricant is important.

Additive

An additive is any material incorporated into a lubricant or similar product to import new properties or enhance the existing properties. It is usually used in relatively low concentrations.

Anti-foam Agent

An anti-foam agent is used as an additive to suppress the foaming properties of petroleum products. It converts the small bubbles into large ones that burst more rapidly and decrease the foaming.

Antioxidant

An antioxidant is also a chemical used in small quantities to increase oxidative resistance. It helps prolong the base oil’s induction period in oxidizing conditions.

Base Number

The base number is designed as the amount of acid, and all the quantity of hydrochloric or perchloric acid expressed in milligrams of KOH. It neutralizes all the basic constituents of a one-gram petroleum product sample. This term also indicates the capacity of oil to fight the corrosive effects of acidic products.

Boundary Lubrication

Boundary lubrication is lubricating between two rubbing surfaces without developing a lubricating film. It requires antiwear and extreme pressure additives to prevent metal-to-metal contact.

Batch

A batch is any quantity of material being considered or handled at a certain time.

Biodegradable

It means being capable of being broken down chemically depending on certain microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, and fungi. Most petroleum products are typically biodegradable in the environment within two months to 2 years.

Catalyst

A catalyst is a substance that increases the chemical reaction rate without itself being used in the chemical process.

Cavitation

Cavitation refers to the formation of an air or vapor pocket. It is caused due to the lowering of pressure in a liquid and occurs in a hydraulic system due to low fluid levels.

Compressibility

Compressibility enhances some property or part of the new property of the base fluid.

Detergent

Detergent refers to an additive or a compound that has the property of neutralizing the acidic contaminants in the oil.

Dry Lubrication

Dry lubrication is the situation of moving services with no liquid lubricant between them.

Emulsifier

An emulsifier is an additive that promotes the formation of a stable emulsion. The emulsion is an intimate mixture of materials that don’t form a homogeneous mixture upon mixing.

Filtration Ratio

Filtration ratio, also known as the beta ratio, is the ratio of particles greater than a given size in the influent fluid to the number of particles greater than the same size of the effluent fluid.

About Us

Micro Lube is a full-service conveyor lubrication company with international experience and a genuine commitment to professional, affordable, and personalized service to its 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. The above mentioned are some of the most common terms used in the industrial lubricant industry. There are tons of other important terms as well which you should know about. Contact us for more information.

Why Water-Oil Separation Is Crucial For Industrial Settings

Water contamination is usually known as the scourge of any machine. The eternal battle continues between lubricant technicians in the wet process industries such as paper and pulp. The competition between outdoor machine applications such as construction and mining and frequent machine washdowns like food processing never seems to come to an end. However, water contamination hazards are not only limited to these industries. They affect all kinds of plants and industries. Both oil and machines are affected by water. Water promotes the oxidation of lubricants base oil and releases additives that attract water. Later, the water settles towards the bottom of the sump. Water hydrolyzes additives which affect the performance of machines. In some cases, this hydrolysis can produce highly corrosive by-products. Resultantly, lubricants degraded by water cannot lubricate and protect the machine efficiently. This inefficiency can lead to severe wear and tear. Read More: What Causes Lubrication Failure?

Water Induced Wear Mechanisms

Common water-induced wear mechanisms include:

Rust And Corrosion

For the production of iron oxides, water attacks steel and iron surfaces. Water binds with the acids in the oil to boost its potential to attack ferrous and non-ferrous metals. As a result, the surfaces deteriorate rapidly in the presence of rust and corrosion, which invite abrasive particles. Rust is also abrasive. Abrasion exposes fresh nascent metal that deteriorates rapidly in water and acids.

Vaporous Cavitation

If vapor pressure reaches low-pressure points of the machine, such as the suction line at the pump, then vapor bubbles expand. Vapor bubbles need exposure to high pressure suddenly, such as in the load zone of a journal bearing. The water bubbles contract at high pressure and go back to the liquid state. Consequently, water droplets impact parts of the machine with force in the form of needle-like micro-jets. This damages the machine and causes erosion and localized surface fatigue. Water contamination also gives the oil the ability to entrain air and increase gaseous contamination.

Film Strength Loss

With elastohydrodynamic (EHD) contacts, the pitch line of gear tooth, and rolling bearing, the strength of lubricating film increases. The increase in the film is due to the viscosity of the oil, which increases with pressure. However, water does not possess the same property. The viscosity of water remains constant and drops slightly with the increase in pressure. Accordingly, the addition of contaminants in water increases contact fatigue and surface-to-surface contact. In high-pressure zones, tribo-chemical reactions cause blisters and embrittlement.

Managing Water Contamination

One of the most effective ways to prevent water contamination is to keep water out from the oil. Water makes its way into reservoirs or sumps where machines interface with the environment. Tips to keep oil void of water are as follows:

Mange new oil efficiently
Use high-quality shaft and wipe seals
Avoid sprays with high pressure in areas near seals if possible
Maintain heating/cooling and steam water system seals

Gravity Separation

Water has a higher specific gravity than hydraulic fluids. Due to its high gravity, it settles down at the bottom of the reservoir. The effectiveness of gravity separation improves by using a cone-shaped tank and increasing the fluid temperature. However, gravity separation is not capable of removing dissolved water completely.

Centrifugal Separation

The spinning of fluid can magnify the difference between the specific gravity of water and the fluid. Centrifugal separation removes free water more rapidly than a gravity separator. Moreover, centrifugal separators can remove emulsion water based on the relative strength of centrifugal force and the emulsion of the separator. However, centrifugal separators cannot remove dissolved water.

Vacuum Distillation

This technique can remove emulsified, free and dissolved water. Vacuum distillation units work by effectively boiling water at 150 to 160° and distributing oil over a large surface. Vacuum distillation also removes solvents, fuels, and refrigerants. However, additive vaporization can occur with this technique.

Conclusion

Water contamination can become a severe threat to machines. Machines can become vulnerable to deterioration due to the contamination of water. You should try to keep water away from the oil of your machines. So, technicians should be requested to remove water from the machines.

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 storage, conveyor, and chain lubrication which has earned our customers’ confidence in our products and services. Contact us here for more information.

The Importance Of Effective Oil Sampling

Oils and lubricants play an important role in maintaining a machine. We all know and understand the benefits of a good oil or lubricant for our machines. However, many industrialists do not know the benefits of oil analysis or oil sampling. Oil analysis and oil sampling terms are used interchangeably, and both are used to analyze the contaminants, properties, and wear debris of the lubricant. Conducting regular oil sampling or analysis is important to ensure that the lubricant is in the condition to be used in any machine. This routine oil analysis or oil sampling is an effective way to determine optimum change intervals. Just like using quality industrial lubricants is important for the health of your machines, conducting regular oil analysis and oil sampling is also important for them. This blog post highlights why it is important to conduct regular oil sampling and analysis and how it can benefit your machines.

How Is Oil Sampling Done?

If we take a cursory look at oil sampling, it is a method of conducting oil analysis and checking the oil condition to determine whether it can be used as lubrication or not. It must work according to expectations. Oil sampling is also called oil analysis and includes checking the following three properties:

Fluid properties
Contamination
Wear debris

These properties are checked in each oil analysis procedure, which determines the oil’s performance level. Each batch of oil is QC tested, and its performance is analyzed.

Benefits Of Oil Sampling

It Helps In Enhancing The Equipments Lifespan

One of the biggest benefits of oil sampling is that it helps in enhancing the equipment’s lifespan. If the lubrication you use in any certain machine is up to quality standards, it will perform well in removing the dirt, contamination, and debris from the oil. Such contamination can affect the optimal performance of the machine. Excessive wear and tear can reduce the machine’s age, cause downtimes, and might affect your overall business.

It Tells About The Lubrications Condition

The main purpose of oil sampling is to check the lubricants condition. It helps you decide whether the oil can be used any further or not. Oil sampling also helps you estimate the lifetime of a particular type of oil. It helps you understand how long a certain lubricant can last before it needs to be changed. The period of effective performance is different for different oils. This period can be determined by the process of oil sampling, which might help you decide which oil needs changing.

It Extends The Lubricant’s Life

Another great benefit of the oil sampling method is that it extends the life of the lubricant. How? The process of oil sampling doesn’t only involve analyzing it, but also treats the oil if possible. Oil sampling monitors the oil’s condition and, if necessary, treats and cleans it. Through this, you can reuse the oil in the machine without having to invest in a new one. This also makes the oil change intervals longer.

It Indicates A Machine’s Wear And Tear

When a machine is undergoing a lot of stress. An unhealthy machine will create wear particles at an exponential rate. If the particle rate observed is quite high during the sampling process, it means that the machine is undergoing a lot of wear and tear. This early indication of its condition by analyzing particles can help you take the necessary actions on time. It can also help in avoiding machine failure.

Final Thoughts

Oil sampling is vital to the predictive maintenance of machines. It helps in keeping industrial machines in perfect condition for years by changing the oil at regular intervals and avoiding wear and tear.

About Micro-Lube

Get your oil services from 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. We provide:

State-of-the-art industrial filters.
Lubricants.
Oil handling equipment.
Other equipment maintenance systems designed for both commercial and industrial applications.

Experiencing operational issues regarding lubrication, filtration, or preventive maintenance? Contact us here for further assistance. Moreover, check out our products here.

Developing A Balanced Lubrication Contamination Prevention Program

To understand the importance of a perfect lubrication program we first need to understand why machines fail. The simple answer is that they fail because they wear out. Functional machine parts come in contact with each other twice or thrice every machine cycle. The continuous frictional force can damage the machine parts making them non-functional. Lubricants save them from this frictional damage and enable them to perform their function properly for a long time. Hence you need to understand the types of industrial lubrication and their uses to have better machine maintenance and protection. However, what happens when the lubricant you use is not pure and contaminated? In Simple words, your equipment will wear out. Lubrication contamination makes up almost 90% of the mechanical wear of your industrial equipment. Therefore, to avoid sudden breakdowns, and machine downtimes you need to have an efficient contamination control program for your lubricants. The following blog post provides a comprehensive guide on how you can develop a balanced lubrication contamination prevention program.

Common Oil Filtration And Lubricant Contaminants

Poorly maintained and unmonitored machines will usually end up failing due to contaminated lubricants. Particle contamination is the most common type of contamination and leads to almost all lubricant-related machine wear and failure. So, you need to keep your lubricants safe from possible contaminants to get full effectiveness. Knowing the ways your lubricants can become contaminated will help you a lot in developing a balanced contamination prevention system. Some of the common sources of lubricant contamination include;

Debris

There are several ways debris can enter your lubricant. It can be the result of unsafe atmospheric conditions, an improper transfer, or infrequent filter changes.

Air

Poor machine maintenance, design, and improper opening and closing of nozzles can give access to extra air into your lubrication system contaminating it.

Water

Leaks from faulty storage reservoirs, leaking cooling filters or heat exchangers, infiltration from direct water, and vapors from the air can all lead to water being added to your lubricants, making them ineffective.

Varnish

Thermal changes from water contamination and oxidation changes the chemical composition of lubricants causing long-term machine breakdowns.

Lubrication System Contamination Control Solutions

A predictive and proactive approach works best when it comes to developing a lubricant and oil filtration contamination control strategy. This requires you to better understand your machines, their component tolerance, and formulate a plan based on reliability. Some of the measures you can take to avoid lubrication contamination include:

Scheduling Lubrication Changes

Adding a lubrication change program to your work schedule decreases the chances of forgetting to change the lubricant at the required time. However, know that changing the lubricants too often increases the chances of debris introduction in the lubricants. While changing the lubricants infrequently can decrease the functionality and cause damages. So, proper lubricant change can help you avoid the adverse effects of too often or infrequent lubricant changes.

Monitoring

Excessive air in your lubrication system is considered the worst for your equipment. Therefore, the system should be monitored and tested for any signs of foaming in the lubricants to avoid air contamination and particle damage.

Adequate Ventilation

Make sure that the atmosphere in your working area is filtered and well-ventilated. You can install a facility air-filtration system and design the facility so that the ventilation is effective. This will help you avoid debris contamination coming from the atmosphere.

Oil Analysis

Used oil analysis can be used as the very first indication of a looming contamination threat within your lubrication system. The analysis tells you a lot about what is happening in the system and helps you take preventive measures to have better lubrication system health in the long run.

About Us

Micro-lube is a full-service conveyor lubrication company providing quality products to its customers in Edmonton. We are committed to providing genuine, professional, personalized, and affordable services to our customers. Our services and product quality speak for themselves. We ensure to fulfill your needs and requirements entirely and precisely. If you want to get in touch with us, contact us here.

The Importance Of Timely Draining A Lubricant

The oil in an industrial machine does not wear out which means that the oil does not generally deteriorate. But this being said the oil gradually loses its ability to carry out the basic functions of reducing friction, dissipating heat, and lubricating the parts of the machine. This loss in oil quality that reduces the lubrications’ quality is caused by the self-generated contamination of the various components that are present within the oil. Factors such as the viscosity changes caused by futile oxidation or dilution, oxidation due to overheating, water entry into the system, and the gradual depletion of the additive package play an important role in deteriorating the oil. Apart from these factors, there are other components as well that play a role in oil degradation to a lesser degree such as lean air-fuel ratios, operation of equipment in over-cooled conditions, poor quality fuel, and disconnection or malfunctioning of emission control systems. You can avoid all of this by doing timely oil drains. In this blog post, we will describe the conditions that contribute to oil degradation and the importance of regular oil drains.

Water Contamination

The biggest contributor of oil degradation is water contamination, hence it is your job to make sure that no water enters the system. Any water entry into the turbine or the hydraulic system can cause severe damage, typically in systems that have very low tolerances such as the hydrostatic transmission pump that is used in piston pumps. Water contamination is sometimes caused by condensation due to dramatic changes in temperatures. If the oil in the turbine or hydraulic system starts to appear milky, it is an indication that the water level in the system has increased. This means that you will need to take prompt action to protect the hydraulic and turbine system. Draining the oil is the best option to protect your turbine and hydraulic system. You can also replace the oil or remove the water from the system using a special filtration system that is primarily used for this purpose. If you have a gasoline engine then the combustion of one gallon of gasoline will produce about one gallon of water. If moisture enters the gasoline engine it will cause corrosion, rusting, separation of additives from base oils, and buildup deposits. Similarly, water entering the oil of a diesel engine is also very harmful, typically if you have used poor-quality oil. Low-quality fuel generally has a higher rate of sulfur content so when water combines with sulfur oxides, dangerous acids are formed which will immediately attack the bearings surfaces. Hence to avoid such situations you will need to carry out oil drains to reduce the chances of water contamination.

Additive Depletion

When base oils are blended and formulated using additives, these elements slowly use up the base oils and affect its performance. Due to the extreme pressure and anti-wear, agents get depleted when they are deposited on the metal surfaces. The dispersants and detergents are used up when they come in contact with the contaminated particles present in the oil. The additives are there to protect the system but become depleted when they counteract the acid formation within the oil. So if the oil is not drained and is allowed to remain in service for an extended period of time then the additive package will eventually become depleted or ineffective. Therefore to keep the additives working you will need to drain the old oils and replace them with new ones.

About Micro-Lube

Micro-Lube is one of the most trustworthy industrial lubricant providers in the Edmonton region. We have a complete range of products and offer oil filtration, dispensing, and storage products and solutions. 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. For more information contact us today.

5 Ways Lubricants Help Keep The Mining Industry Moving

The mining industry faces three key risks: they are risks of regulation changes, environmental concerns, and operational challenges. The first two of these are extraneous and uncontrollable. However, advancements in lubricant technology and analysis have made operational difficulties less. Using optimized lubricant technologies and analysis can maximize equipment efficiency, reduce environmental impact, cut energy costs, and reduce downtime and maintenance costs. This blog post explains some benefits of using quality mining lubricants in keeping the mining industry running smoothly.

1. Smaller Environmental Footprint

The most significant risk factors in the mining industry are its impact on the environment. These risks include the chances of water contamination due to mining activities and difficulties in moving to a low-carbon economy. Choosing lubricants and fluids with a long fluid life can help reduce the amount of lubricant waste a mine produces. When a lubricant lasts long you need to dispose of it less often. Combining the use of quality lubricants with a robust process can help mitigate the risk of contamination through disposal. New technologies have developed lubricants especially to reduce energy dependency. Swapping your traditional lubricants to energy-efficient mining lubricants can be a step in the right direction.

2. Productivity Optimization

Unplanned and sudden downtimes can decrease business productivity by increasing business interruptions in the mine. Lubricant analysis can help you to reduce this risk by providing a predictive and proactive approach to maintenance. Monitoring the level of oil and other greasing materials in your machinery is like a health check for your operations. Traditionally, manual labeling and processing of the oil samples made the job time-consuming and difficult. However, advancements in technology have made the process less strenuous.

3. Reduce Maintenance

Mineworkers have the highest chances of facing worksite accidents, injuries, and even sometimes death. While it is difficult to control the natural and environmental causes of accidents, you can surely limit the manual or machine-caused safety hazards. Reducing the amount of equipment maintenance and increasing machine life can help to reduce the risk of personal safety and productivity. Heavy-duty mining machines experience extensive wear and tear on metal surfaces due to friction and continuous contact with hard rock surfaces. One way to decrease metal wear and tear is to use boundary lubricants like graphite or molybdenum disulfide. These help reduce the amount of friction between the metal and hard surfaces. Gear and axles can also fall victim to excessive friction. The use of special gear lubricants such as gear mate mining lubricants can help you avoid premature gear failures caused by shocks and friction.

4. Lower Costs

With tax and mining royalties reaching high on the horizon, cost savings are delivered by using quality and correct mining lubricants. These also decrease maintenance costs, and energy consumption which also make a significant difference in mining budgets. Moreover, the optimum use of lubricants saves cost by eradicating unplanned downtimes, machine breakdowns, making a difference in the industry’s bottom line.

5. Improved Safety

Many mining industry hazards and accidents stem from human and machine interaction. Using a lubricant that decreases downtime and machine maintenance, means decreasing the time your employees will spend in hazardous situations. A mining lubricant with long lubrication intervals and a long drain can also increase your worker’s safety by decreasing the number of times they have to carry out these maintenance activities.

About Us

Micro-lube is a full-service conveyor lubrication company. We have international experience and a genuine commitment to serve our wide range of customers from various industries at an affordable rate in a personalized manner. Our staff is well-trained and has a hand on more than ten years of experience in the conveyor and chain lubrication industry. We have a wide range of reliable products including filtration systems, mining lubricants, chain & conveyors, manufacturing machinery maintenance products, and more. Visit our website or contact us now to get the best and reliable conveyor and lubrication products and services.