Types of lubricant and its uses

There are different kinds of machines and tools. They need regular maintenance. Lubricants play a vital role for the same.

Every machine, demands different kind of maintenance and they have various requirement. As a doctor can’t give the same medicine to every patient, same way, every machine gets a specific lubricant.

In today’s article, we are going to get an insight about the different kinds of lubricants and their uses.

Lubricant is a kind of substance which makes the smallest part of the machine, in a working condition and keeps it smooth. In the list, there are different substances like oil and grease, or any other lubricant which supports the penetrating actions of tools and machinery parts.

If we have knowledge about the uses of these lubricant, then it becomes an easy task to use them wisely.

Following are the different kinds of lubricants.

Teflon Grease:

A combination of hydrocarbon fluid with a complex soap thickener containing lithium compounds. It can take up a load and can survive with a great deal of effects even at high temperature. It shows tremendous resistance to water. It gives a protection against wear, rust, high temperature, degradation, and corrosion. The thickeners give a unique ability to the substance.

Silicone Grease:

This is the most demanded material in the market at present. The characteristic of silicon grease makes it an important part of lubrication process. It stays stable even at high temperature. It is known as long life lubricant. It is widely used in textile, cement, fertilizers, steel plants, rubber parts, plastic parts, and various kinds of bearings. It helps to decrease the frequency of lubrication as it gives long lasting effects. This is the special feature making it the most demanded product.

Oil based lubricants:

It is a liquid based lubricant. Its weight and viscosity may vary. It lubricates the parts without resistance. It has to be checked that it is applied on the clean surface, otherwise the dust particles may become the hurdle for oil to give smoothness to the tools. The blades get sharpened using oil lubricant and it is again useful for hinges, bearings, and tool maintenance.

Penetrating Lubricant:

You must have seen bolts covered by rust. It can be removed and make it smooth by applying penetrating lubricant. It is not useful for permanent effects as it is applicable only for the removal of rust and filling up the small cracks. The lubricant types makes a difference to its application. Penetrating oil can’t be used instead of other lubricants.

Dry Lubricant:

As the name suggests, dry lubricants are the substances having specific type of particles like silicon, molybdenum, graphite, PTFE. The molecular level goes towards the slippery properties, making the surfaces smooth. It comes in different forms like gel or a spray. It gets dry quickly, not leaving the particles on the surface. It gets mixed with a volatile solvent which gets evaporated after it is applied on the surfaces. One can see the use of dry lubricants in threaded rods, locks, printer rails, hinges etc….

Take Away

In this article, we have seen that there are different kinds of lubricants available but it is an important job to identify and select the suitable lubricant only. The reason for this precaution, is all about choosing the right product for the required machines or tools. For example, you can not use dry lubrications to any parts of a machine because it has a temporary use as it evaporates, once it is applied. There are main lubricants like oil based, grease, dry lubricants, silicone grease or Teflon grease. Teflon grease is used as an additive in different lubrication. It is water resistance and can tackle the high level of heat and pressure. Teflon grease is again useful to make a strong combination. Silicone grease is the most demanded product in the market because it gives the effect of long term. You don’t have to lubricate the machine or an equipment again and again if you have used silicone grease. This the special feature of this kind of grease. The correct and the wise use of lubrication is useful as every lubricant has the unique properties and different uses. The requirement of every machine or a tool decides the kind of lubricant. The use of lubricant gives long life to machine and less wear and tear. It gives the smooth functioning and long-lasting effect to the machine.

We hope that this article has given a detailed map of properties and uses of different types of lubricants. We would like to welcome the suggestions and comments from our readers as it helps us to serve you better. Kindly give your valuable feedback and suggestions right here in the suggestion box.

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