Effective lubrication is critical to keep compressors functioning properly. Leading lubricant manufacturers like CPI Fluid Engineering produce a range of high-quality compressor oil products to answer the multiple needs of air compressors.
While these built-for-purpose oils are designed to lubricate and reduce friction, they are important for several other reasons that promote more efficient compressor operations and mechanical longevity.
Here, we look at the importance of compressor oils in detail, covering the many roles that they perform including: lubricating; noise dampening; sealing; cooling; cleaning; preventing contamination and corrosion; reducing maintenance and extending the overall lifespan of compressors and their components.
Lubrication
Compressors have multiple parts, and compressor oil is essential so they can move freely and carry out their function. Oils keep components like bearings and rotors lubricated and ensure that when they work in proximity to other moving parts, no friction occurs.
To the naked eye, metal compressor components seem smooth – but at a microscopic level, they have imperfections like peaks and troughs. Without lubricant, these flaws grind together, creating friction that wears down parts over time. High-quality lubricant ensures seamless operation and effectively defends against undue wear.
Sealing
Compressor oil forms a strong film over components that is designed to stay in place when parts are moving, but it also helps seal the system against unwanted air leaks. This promotes more efficient compression because is maximises how much energy is put into the compressor’s operations.
Cooling
When functioning, hardworking compressors can generate considerable heat. Left unchecked, high temperatures within the system can damage components.
Fortunately, as well as lubricating, compressor oil also serves as coolant. It absorbs excess heat and dissipates it, stopping the system and its internal parts becoming overheated and damaged.
Cleaning
As compressor oils flow through system, they work to clean unwanted debris like dust, dirt and other materials. Particles left in the air compressors can cause damage to components, impeding how they perform, requiring their replacement at cost to operations. Compressor oils trap debris and stop it from harming the system, its parts and functionality.
Preventing contamination
Different types of compressor systems must contend with various contaminants. While some must cope with dirt and debris, others experience issues of excess moisture.
Compressor oil works to seal out a wide range of contaminants that can negatively impact system performance or damage components.
Protecting against corrosion
Corrosive forces like rust can result in components losing their structural integrity. Parts become more brittle and get damaged easier. Rust forms on iron alloys when moisture and air are present. Compressor oil defends against this deterioration, preventing corrosion and contamination that may lead to parts needing replacement. Compressor oils often contain specially designed additives that are anti-corrosion. This helps them provide advanced protection against rust and other corrosives.
Noise dampening
There are some instances where compressor oils act as a sound barrier and absorb mechanical noise. This can help effectively reduce noise levels in the operating environment.
Reducing maintenance
When a high-quality compressor oil is in active use, it can drastically reduce how much maintenance is required. While regular testing and monitoring is critical, the latest synthetic compressor oils are designed to last longer, resulting in less frequent oil change intervals.
Effective lubrication, cooling and cleaning also ensures that systems run smoothly and efficiently and that parts are protected against friction, wear and tear, overheating and contaminants. This leads to less damaged parts and reduces mechanical downtime for compressors to undergo repairs.
The knock-on effect of reduced maintenance can result in substantial cost savings for companies with compressors running seamlessly and without interruption, and not requiring expensive repairs and replacement components.
Extending compressor lifespan
Understandably, air compressors represent a significant investment for the companies that purchase them. As a result, keeping compressors working in good condition throughout their active service life is a key objective to access an equitable return.
Using an appropriate compressor oil that matches the recommendation of the compressor’s original equipment manufacturer not only supports effective operations and performance levels, but can also prolong the lifespan of the compressor and its various components including valves, scrolls and pistons.
In summary, compressor oil has specific properties that are designed to optimise compressor performance and offers multiple short- and long-term benefits. It’s worth remembering that not all compressor oils are engineered equally and that opting for an inferior lubricant is often a false economy. For best results, ordering from trusted brands and stockists is advised.
