Product category:
Lubrication - lubricants and lubrication systems
News Release from: Dow Corning | Subject: Synthetic lubricants
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 17 July 2007
Synthetic lubricants improve efficiency
In complex bearing and gear applications in extreme pressure situations, many plant managers using synthetic oil lubricants to improve plant efficiency and performance.
In complex bearing and gear applications operating under extreme pressures, many plant managers have begun using synthetic oil lubricants to improve plant efficiency and performance In turn, benefits accrued include lower costs and lower energy consumption
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 15 Jun 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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Synthetic lubricants best for bearings and gears
Dow Corning explains how synthetic lubricants are best for complex bearing and gear applications in extreme pressure situations, reducing costs and energy consumption.
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Unlike mineal oils, synthetic lubricants are formulated by combining smaller molecular 'building blocks' to meet specific performance specifications - such as size and structure.
Inother words, a lubricant can now be customized.
The lubricant supplier can also minimise those impurities, which otherwise often degrade and damage machinery.
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Food approved lubricants range expanded
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* Efficiency advantage - for example, synthetic gear oil reduces gear tooth friction by 30%.
It is possible too that the use synthetic gear oil allows to lower drive motor power and reduce gear size to achieve a required power output, said Dow Corning.
Or, a higher power output can be achieved from the original power input.
* Gar box and electric motor bearings - synthetic oils improve gear box bearings lubrication.
Equally synthetic lubricants bring benefits to ball bearings in electrical motors, fans, calendars, presses, metal working machines, generators, utility switch contacts, spindles, dryers and other applications.
Synthetic bearing grease has a high load-carrying capacity that protects against metal-to-metal contact and extends the life of the component parts.
Synthetic bearing grease also provides trouble-free operations at a wide range of temperatures, from -45 deg C to +185 deg C (-50 deg F to +360 deg F).
In many cases, synthetic lubicants can be initially more expensive per unit than traditional oils, but their superior performance lowers total production costs and adds value over time.
Synthetic oils help reduce oil and operating temperatures thereby making the interval between oil changes three to five times longer.
In general, synthetic lubricants provide excellent resistance to emulsification and last longer, said Dow Corning.
Because of longer life synthetic lubricants extend maintenance intervals, which offsets their higher price.
* Energy savings - good lubrication reduces friction in machines, which means less energy is required for them to operate.
Worm gearboxes, for example, are a great candidate for new oil technology and can improve energy savings by 7%-8%, or more.
Even a small percentage reduction in energy use will typically pay for a plant's total lubrication expense within a few months.
Manufacturers who use synthetic oils find that the oils have an inherently high viscosity index and provide no place for oxidants to bond, and so reduce the chance of rust.
Synthetic oils also perform well at low temperatures with low evaporation loss and minimal tendency to form residue.
In addition, unlike mineral oils, synthetic oils have improved resistance to ambient media and are food grade compliant.
Applying a successful lubrication management strategy that involves changing from a mineral oil product type to a high-performance synthetic lubricant often results in real dollar cost savings for your plant.
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