The thickness of a fluid depends on its viscosity which is why Industrial lubricants comprise a wide variety of products that, depending on their application thou differs widely in their chemical and physical properties. one can say that industrial lubricants involve all classes of lubricants applied in practice. Let’s talk about the history of Lubricants.
In the history of man, the first walking computer was able to provide man the knowledge to invent manual machines which were built as wagons with two wheels to help reduce workload in transporting heavy goods from one place to another and as well change the face of warfare as it was used as a chariot, eventually, the maintenance of such the wonderful machine depends on lubricants.
An experiment was carried out in 1400 BC and it was discovered that Olive oil was a viscous liquid that will work as a lubricating agent for the hubs of the wheel from wearing out. However, the growth of lubrication accelerated in the industrial revolution which led to the use of metal-based machinery. When the world began to advance into machinery, the need for such machinery oil shifted toward petroleum-based materials in the early 1900s. A breakthrough came with the development of vacuum distillation of petroleum, as it allows the extraction of other properties from petroleum products which are derived from crude oil, one of the by-products of petroleum is Lubricants which contains, light machine oil, motor oil, and greases. This technology allowed the purification of very nonvolatile substances, which are common in many lubricants.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Definitions
Components of Lubricants
Uses of Industrial Lubricant
Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Lubricants
Conclusion
DEFINITION:
In a better understanding, we can say a Lubricant is any form of substance or gel that could be liquid, solid, semi-solid which controls frictional force between two or more surfaces that are in relative motion, which therefore reduces the heat during contact and also have the function of transmitting forces, transporting foreign particles, or cooling the surfaces. One of the ways in reducing friction is known as lubricity.
In the industry today, Lubricants are generally composed of a majority of base oil plus a variety of additives are used to impart desirable performance characteristics to the lubricants which have therefore purged the industrial world into the production of synthetic oil [ oil created from a complex process of chemical development from petroleum], conventional oil [mineral oil or base oil], which acts as a plasticizer in polyvinyl chloride. Although all of these productions are to meet the performance requirements Modern automotive lubricants contain as many as ten additives, comprising up to 20% of the lubricant.
While we already have a lot of historical information about industrial lubricants, much more is needed, hence we are concerned about your new oil or old oil as an essential part of any machinery maintenance. The lubricating oil is often the only thing separating the metal surfaces of your engine, journal, hoists, or compressors, and so without it, they could not function effectively. Industrial lubricating oil should therefore be a priority to any maintenance staff or engineer to ensure that all machinery can run as smoothly as possible as one would not wish to spend on expensive engines for the sake of bad oil.
Components of lubricants
- Base oil [mineral oil]
- Additive
Base Oil:
Base oil also known as mineral oil is extracted from refining crude oil which is determined by the concentration of base oil molecules. This means that when crude oil is heated to a certain temperature, various compounds can be separated into different categories, light, and heavier compounds.
The light compound is used to manufacture petrol fuel, diesel fuel, and other fuels, while the heavier compound produces bitumen and base oil which are used to manufacture lubricating grease, motor oil, and metal processing fluids.
Additive:
Oil Additive is liquid organic or inorganic materials added into a base oil which could be animal fat or mineral oil to reduce the lubricity of the oil into a very good synthetic type of lubricant, hence prolong the use of motor oil for combustion type of engine.
Uses of industrial lubricant
It is so important to understand that all lubricants have some degree of reaction on surfaces to which it has been applied, regardless of how the oil may look, Industrial lubricants are available in a variety of forms, compositions, viscosities, and maybe application specified.
- High viscosity oil: [ thicker lubricants] these are the oil that is derived from a petroleum base and tends to be more viscous with a high-temperature sensitivity of used to exhibit higher shear stresses and thicker fluid films. High-speed and lightly loaded plain bearings need a low viscosity plain base oil which could be grease oil, motor oil.
- Greases are semi-solid lubricants formed from the base oil and may also contain corrosion inhibitors and are generally used in high-temperature applications where liquid lubricants break down. The thickening agent serves as a matrix that holds the lubricant in place while supplying some amount of increased protection.
- Motor oil or engine oil is a lubricant used in internal engine combustion, which powers cars, motorcycles, earthmovers, engine generators, and many other machines. In engines, some parts move against each other, and the friction between the parts wastes otherwise useful power by converting kinetic energy into heat.
- Low viscosity lubricants offer the least resistance to movement which reduces shear stress and as much minimizes friction. Load bearing capabilities and fluid film thickness are also reduced. They are called synthetic oil, which includes epoxies.
- Synthetic oil is simply a lubricant that contains artificially made chemical compounds. Hence, Its low viscosity contains additives to prevent lubrication failure but provide exceptional fire resistance and cooling performance. They are based on synthetic compounds such as silicone, esters, polyglycerol, and synthetic fluids, and water mixtures.
Frequently asked questions [FAQs]
- Where can I buy a quality lubricant?
Look no further as epoxy oilserv got you covered for all industrial lubricants in Nigeria.
2. Which oil or lubricant is the best oil in Nigeria.
This depends on where the application of the oil is to be applied, as the viscosity of oil may defer and specify for different purposes and environments.
Conclusion
Whatever your industry is, there is a comprehensive range of products and services that are designed to help add value to your operations of which lubricant will play a great role in improving the massive production of such products through mechanical energy thereby sustaining mechanical and automotive efficiency of the machinery. Lack of oil changing can affect your engine as lubricating oil needs replacing at intervals, and although improves the design and functionality of every machinery.
For more information about What Industrial Lubricants Are Used For, contact Epoxy Oilserv Nigeria we stock quality industrial lubricants.