Collection:Oils

Oils are used to reduce friction between moving parts, prolong their service life and save energy. They dissipate heat well from the lubricating point and have a notedly good creep and wetting b... Read more

Oils

Oils

Oils are used to reduce friction between moving parts, prolong their service life and save energy. They dissipate heat well from the lubricating point and have a notedly good creep and wetting behaviour. Therefore, oil lubrication is often used at high temperatures or high speeds of rotation. A few common applications include gears, chains, bearings, hydraulics, and compressors.

Characteristics of oils:

  • Viscosity - Dimension for the inner friction of liquids. Choosing the viscosity of an oil depends on the area in which it is to be used. The following basically applies: Low viscosity for low pressure stress and high sliding speeds, high viscosity for high pressure stress, low sliding speeds and high temperatures.
  • Operating temperature - Temperature range of the optimal performance. The viscosity of an oil depends on the temperature, the pressure and shear stress as well as the time in which it happens. The temperature has the greatest impact. As the temperature increases, the viscosity decreases and vice versa, depending on the type of oil.
  • Flashing point - Lowest temperature at which the vapour-air mixture catches fire through extraneous ignition.
  • Setting point - The lowest temperature at which the oil is still capable of flowing.
  • Base oil - Plays a decisive role in the selection of a lubricating oil. Mineral oils, synthetic hydrocarbons, ester, polyglycols and silicone oils differ notably in their physical properties and chemical behaviour.