Machines that can run at optimum without interruption and remain in active service for extended periods are essential to every industrial operation. As a result, a supply of high-quality lubricants is essential for every company in the sector. In this article, we’ll look at the advantages offered by correct lubrication and explore some of the specific solutions created for different applications.
How do industrial lubricants benefit operations?
Effective use of industrial lubricants is essential for firms that want to boost efficiency and improve equipment performance. The lubrication deployed in industrial applications is specially engineered to solve specific challenges. Oils and greases stop damage and mitigate degradation while extending service intervals. They also reduce machinery downtime, increase machine work rates and provide greater operational reliability. When the correct lubricant is selected and used, companies can drive the productivity potential of the equipment they employ to greater heights while maximising performance.
Lubricants for industrial application are also formulated to deliver lasting protection that helps prevent equipment from degrading and suffering mechanical faults. Industrial sector environments are typically tough on machinery. Equipment may have to cope with severe working conditions that can include extremely high and low temperatures, heavy loads, extreme pressure (EP), shock, corrosive forces and oxidation. Correct lubrication can safeguard equipment while lowering operational downtime and lengthening the active service lifespan of machine components.
Firms with equipment that functions at optimum can appreciate multiple gains, including lower running costs and enhanced productivity, and, as a result, they can improve their bottom line with increased profitability.
Specialist lubricants for the industrial sector
Grease and oils form the backbone of industrial lubrication; however, built-for-purpose solutions have been engineered by expert lubricant manufacturers to serve specific industrial processes. The following are just some of the many industrial lubricants in use today around the world.
Compressor oils
These cleverly formulated oils are engineered to provide outstanding levels of both protection and lubrication at high temperatures. This makes them ideally suited to the operating conditions present in air compressors, as well as vacuum pumps. Additionally, they are formulated to protect components against the formation of sludge.
Designed to deliver optimum stability, these oils can endure for extended periods and are resistant to temperature fluctuations. Imbued with anti-foaming and anti-rusting attributes, they also protect equipment against degradation and corrosion.
Circulation oils
These oils are engineered with a high viscosity index (VI) and exceptional temperature resistance. As a result, they are ideal for both normal and heavy-duty types of circulating systems. Customers can select from synthetic or mineral circulation oil options that are infused with additive packages to improve their protective, efficiency and longevity properties.
Circulation oils are defined by the outstanding oxidation and stability they can supply. These qualities support reduced deposit formation and can improve operational uptime. These oils are also bolstered with anti-corrosive, anti-rust and anti-oxidation attributes to protect machinery in a range of operating environments.
Slideway oils
These built-for-purpose oils are designed for dedicated slideways fitted in industrial machinery, often employed in metalworking industry. These oils supply superior adhesiveness for seamless processes and can prevent stick-slip. Users will also find that slideway oils can extend their equipment’s active service life, while reducing operational downtime to deliver higher levels of productivity levels on site.
These oils are typically enhanced using additives for anti-corrosion and anti-rust properties and often have outstanding water separability to stop industrial equipment being harmed when working in wet conditions – for example, in the paper manufacturing industry.
EP gear oils
Extreme pressure gear oils, or EP gear oils for short, are oils designed to cope with a wide range of different operational temperatures and conditions and manage heavy loads while operating under often extreme pressure. Consequently, they are a perfect solution for the demanding industrial environments and processes.
EP gear oils can take heavy use and shock loads. As a result, they can support high-load bearings that must operate under extreme cold or heat and pressure.
Turbine oils
These oils serve as coolants, as well as lubricants for multiple types of turbine bearings. This enables them to ensure turbine bearings remain sealed for safer and more dependable operation. Turbine oils are also suited specifically to systems that need high levels of protection from rust, oxidation and other forms of corrosion.
Both stable and durable, these oils have outstanding anti-wear properties, empowering them to protect equipment components from abrasive forces like friction and wear and prolong their active service life.
Heat transfer oils
Mainly used within heating systems, dedicated heat transfer oils are used in equipment employed by many manufacturing industries, including food and pharma, rubber, textiles, plastics and rubber. These oils have a broad operating spectrum and can cope with exceptionally high temperatures.
Delivering protection against corrosive forces, heat transfer oils can prolong the system service life while mitigating premature wear.
Industrial lubrication is the lifeblood that keeps equipment operating at optimum and driving productivity. For the best results, effective lubricant programmes are essential for every enterprise in the sector.
