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.