Everything You Need to Know About Industrial Lubricants

There are dozens of lubricants for industrial use; each industry has its standards and regulations. Ask your industrial lubricants supplier about the functionality you need for your application. Industrial lubricants vary in functionality based on individual operating conditions and manufacturing processes. Here are some common types of lubricants for industrial use.

Mineral oils

There are several types of mineral oils available for industrial use. For example, white mineral oils are used to manufacture plastics and rubber products. They are necessary for producing PVC, polystyrene, and various types of rubber. White mineral oils can also be found in household products such as cleaning agents and plastic toys. Their widespread use in industries has been increasing over the past two decades and is expected to continue for years to come.

These oils come from natural resources and are characterized by chemical impurities that affect their lubrication properties. As a result, pollutants can contaminate the environment and cause deposits and sludge. Nevertheless, these oils are refined to remove impurities and improve the quality of the final product. Today, there are many industrial lubricant Richmond VA, from synthetic to conventional. These oils are derived from the same crude oil and undergo the same refinery processes, though modern technology allows for better separation between quality and quantity.

Synthetic oils

A “100% Synthetic” label is not a lie – but it doesn’t mean anything. It refers to the Base Oil, not the finished product. And “carrier oil” is hard to define, except in tiny print on the label. Despite the confusion, synthetic oils for industrial lubricants are the same as conventional oil. However, synthetic oils are often produced by using petroleum crude.

Conventional mineral oils are more prone to chemical degradation under harmful conditions. These conditions include combustion byproducts, water contamination, acid and pro-oxidants, and extreme heat. As a result, synthetic oils are more resistant to such conditions and can prevent sludge, varnish, and corrosion. Synthetics also have a naturally higher viscosity index than conventional oils. This means that they change less during normal engine startup, resulting in a thicker film, which reduces the amount of friction in moving parts.

Grease

The primary components of grease are fatty oil (70-95 percent), a thickener (up to 25 percent), and one or more additives. These additives impart specific properties to the grease, such as oxidation and corrosion inhibitors, anti-wear agents, and solid lubricants. Lithium is the most commonly used thickener, accounting for most grease on the market. Lithium grease has a high dropping point and is used for various industrial applications.

A typical grease product is a blend of a fluid lubricant and a thickening agent (typically soap). When mixed, grease is a thixotropic, shear-thinning, plastic-like fluid that liquefies at a temperature below its dropping point. Typical greases have a dropping point of about 200 to 500degF. Therefore, they are less viscous when thickened and may be used for applications that require a high-temperature drop-off.

Dry lubricants

Dry industrial lubricants are used to produce many different kinds of products. Their unique properties allow them to function as a lubricant and sealant. Often referred to as “film lubricants,” they bond to surfaces, providing longer wear life than their liquid counterparts. As a result, these lubricants can be applied to many different surfaces. They are used in many aerospace, petrochemical, and electronics applications. In addition to these industries, dry oils are also used in food processing.

Dry film lubricants are often composed of molybdenum and graphite. This feature has led to increased R&D activities for dry industrial lubricants. They have several applications, including in the production of nuclear reactors.

Food-grade lubricants

If your company produces food or beverages, you’ve likely used food-grade lubricants for industrial machining. Using such lubricants helps ensure that the machinery doesn’t contaminate food and prevents the introduction of non-food items into the food product. Food-grade oils are available in a wide range of grades. If you’re not sure which type to use, talk to your equipment manufacturer about which options are available for your application.

These lubricants are not food-grade if they contain animal fats. They’re typically formulated with a variety of base oils and additives that meet the FDA’s requirements. The FDA has a ten ppm limit on the amount of lubricant in a food product, but batches with more than that amount are destroyed. That limit is misleading because it could mean that the product is unfit for consumption.