Selecting the most appropriate lubricant is an important part of keeping industrial equipment operating reliably. The lubricants available from RS encompass products designed with a broad range of applications, machinery types, and operating environments in mind.
Of course, there is no single lubricant that suits every conceivable industrial application. So, organisations cannot depend on “just any” general-purpose lubricant for all situations, given the various combinations of load, speed, temperature, pressure, and environmental conditions under which different machines and components operate.
Where the right choice of lubricant is made, though, this can greatly help reduce friction and wear, protect against corrosion, and support dependable machine performance.
This article, then, will take a closer look at the main factors involved in lubrication selection. The aim is to help maintenance teams make better-informed decisions, so that they can avoid some of the problems associated with incorrect or inadequate lubrication.
Why Does Selecting the Right Lubricant Matter So Much?
Maintenance personnel in industrial environments turn to lubricants as means of creating a protective layer between surfaces that move against one another.
Lubrication can reduce direct metal-to-metal contact between such components as bearings, chains, and gears. This greatly helps limit friction, heat generation, and wear, thereby also contributing to the continual smooth running of industrial machinery.
If, however, an unsuitable lubricant is chosen for a given task, this can have negative or even dire consequences.
A lubricant that is too thin, for example, might fail to maintain an adequate protective film under heavy loads. Conversely, if the lubricant used is overly viscous, this can heighten resistance and potentially interfere with component movement.
It should therefore be clear to industrial maintenance teams just how important it is to select a lubricant that matches the given component as well as its operating conditions.
The Matching of Lubricants to Different Machinery Types
Maintenance decision-makers might find the following rundown a good reference as they look to select the right lubricant for certain equipment:
1.Rolling-Element Bearings and Electric Motors
For these components, grease is often preferred due to its ability to stay in place and provide sealing, without the need for it to be reapplied so frequently.
Lithium-complex or polyurea greases are suitable for many general-purpose and electric-motor bearings.
High-speed or high-temperature bearings may require specialised greases or oils, potentially with synthetic base oils. The ultimate choice, though, will depend on the bearing manufacturer’s recommendations and the requirements for thermal stability and heat removal.
2.Gearboxes And Industrial Gears
As far as enclosed gear drives are concerned, it is EP gear oils that are commonly used. Grades such as ISO VG 150, 220, 320, or 460 are selected according to factors including gearbox design, speed, temperature, load, and OEM requirements.
Such EP gear oils contain additives designed to help protect gear surfaces under the high contact pressures encountered between meshing teeth.
Worm gears, on the other hand, might need to be lubricated with specific formulations that are compatible with yellow metals. Open gears often depend on heavy residual oils or greases that can provide strong adhesion.
3.Hydraulic Systems
Hydraulic oils need to transmit power at the same time as lubricating pumps, valves, and actuators. Maintenance professionals often turn to anti-wear options with grades such as ISO VG 32, 46, or 68.
Important characteristics to consider in lubricants for hydraulic systems include good demulsibility (water separation), foam control, and thermal stability. In high-risk areas, ensuring the chosen hydraulic fluid is fire-resistant may also be crucial.
4.Compressors
With regard to the lubrication of rotary screw, reciprocating, and centrifugal compressors, there is a need to specify products that combine strong oxidation resistance and low deposit formation.
Compressor oils in grades such as ISO VG 32, 46, and 68 are used in many applications. However, the correct viscosity and formulation depend on the compressor design, operating conditions, and specifications provided by the manufacturer.
Ensuring compatibility with the compressed gas and seals is also critical.
5.Chains, Conveyors, And Open Mechanisms
For the lubrication of these components, maintenance teams can expect to be well-served by penetrating chain oils or greases that are good at resisting fling-off and contamination.
In some dusty, wet, or otherwise challenging environments, dry-film or solid lubricants such as PTFE or MoS2 may be advantageous, provided they are compatible with the chain and operating conditions.
Where incidental food contact is possible, an NSF H1-registered lubricant should be used, subject to the applicable food-safety requirements and site procedures.
A Quick Note About Matching Lubricants to Particular Equipment
It is important to be mindful that the grades and lubricant types outlined above are typical examples rather than universal prescriptions.
Maintenance decision-makers are advised to always check the equipment manufacturer’s documentation for the specified lubricant, viscosity grade, performance standard, and relubrication requirements before they make a substitution.
Final Thoughts: It’s Always a Good Investment to Pick the Right Lubricant
Industrial machinery depends on many different types of moving components. Inevitably, then, each application tends to present its own distinctive lubrication requirements, to which maintenance staff must adhere to help ensure the best results.
By matching their choice of lubricant precisely to the given equipment, load, speed, temperature, and environment, such personnel can improve reliability, reduce unnecessary energy losses, and help lower whole-life maintenance costs.
In short, then, choosing lubricants wisely can pay major dividends in the form of higher uptime, enhanced equipment longevity, and better all-round protection of the industrial machinery for which maintenance teams are responsible.
