Different thickeners have different responses to extreme temperatures, corrosion, exposure to moisture, and wear and tear.įor the most part, thickeners are a very specialized component in lubricants. If you choose to use grease for lubrication, the choice of thickener adds another layer of complexity to determining which product is suitable for your needs. There is a wide variety of thickeners used in lubricants including PTFE, Bentonite, aluminum, and amorphous silica among others. Choose an appropriate thickener for grease The viscosity of grease also makes it suitable for vertically oriented parts, as it has less tendency to flow. The film created by grease is much stronger, making it harder to break under intense conditions. Grease is the lubricant of choice for parts meant to carry heavy loads. This makes oil problematic as a lubricant for parts that are oriented vertically. ![]() However, the more liquid-like characteristic of oil means that it can still flow even under intense surface tension. They also have better wetting capabilities that allow them to flow into small spaces in a gear or bearing assembly. For parts that move at high speed, the thin film capabilities of oil are much more appropriate. The choice between grease and oil is a question of the demands of the application. However, they still have the same basic function when applied to moving parts. Grease is merely an oil treated with a thickener, giving it a viscosity that is much higher than oil. The difference between the two is quite simple. In some instances, grease can be a more appropriate lubricant than plain oil. For instance, Polyalkylene Glycol (PAG) oil cannot be used with ABS, PVC, or PC. On the other hand, the use of synthetic oils has to be done a bit more selectively. Most mineral oils generally have good compatibility across different plastics. Regardless of the choice between mineral or synthetic oils, chemical compatibility must still be considered. The biggest downside of synthetic oils is that they are much more expensive. In comparison, mineral oils are more prone to thickening at low temperatures and volatilizing at higher temperatures. The oil film that a synthetic oil makes is generally stronger an equivalent film made with mineral oil and has better thermal stability. This makes synthetic oils less prone to leaving residue or “sludge.” During the same process, the chemical composition of synthetic oils can also be altered to make them more appropriate for specific applications.īetween the two, synthetic oils are clearly superior. By subjecting mineral oils through extensive treatment, synthetic oil is merely a version with significantly fewer impurities and undesired substances. The term ‘synthetic oil’ is a bit of misnomer because it’s also derived from mineral oil. They are often manufactured as a byproduct of the distillation of crude oil to make gasoline and other petroleum products. On the molecular level, mineral oils are typically composed of alkanes distilled from petroleum-based sources. Mineral oils are the more conventional option, mostly because they are cheaper. ![]() However, blends that combine both mineral and synthetic oils are also common. Although there are lots of oils used in lubricants, they can be classified into two broad categories – mineral oils and synthetic oils. It’s the compound that gives lubricants their unique friction-reducing capability. The oil is the base ingredient of the lubricant. This will hold true for each ingredient in a lubricant – the oil base, the thickener, and any necessary additives. The last thing you will want is for your lubricant to react with the plastic, causing loosening of the parts or any premature degradation.Īlthough we’ve listed chemical compatibility as the first step of the lubricant selection process, this will be a common them throughout each step. The first thing to consider when choosing lubricants is the material of the plastic parts to which it will be applied. This is only one of many factors to be considered when choosing a lubricant for plastic parts. Although plastic has proven to be a fairly reliable material, it lacks the chemical stability and mechanical strength of metal. In this article, we will be focusing on the lubrication of parts made of plastic. ![]() Depending on the material of the lubricant, it can also act as a buffer against sudden temperature changes or protect against oxidation. Their main purpose is to reduce the friction between moving parts, thus allowing them to perform more consistently and greatly reduce both wear and tear and power consumption. Lubrication is an essential component of just about all moving parts, especially in industrial settings. 3D Insider is ad supported and earns money from clicks, commissions from sales, and other ways.
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