Solid Lubricant vs. Oil Lubricant - What’s the Difference

 


The constant friction in the bearings generates heat. Over time, this will deteriorate the bearing and significantly reduce its life. Bearing lubrication plays a key role in separating moving parts, minimizing friction, and preventing continuous wear. As such, bearing lubrication is one of the most important aspects in maintaining and extending bearing life. Lubricants also serve to reduce corrosion and protect against contaminants that would otherwise damage bearings. By including regular inspections and lubrication in bearing maintenance, it is possible to improve the functionality and reliability of each bearing, reducing the risk of corrosion failure.

What are the differences between a solid lubricant and an oil lubricant?

There are two main subsets of bearing lubricants: solid lubricants and oil-based lubricants.

Solid lubricants

Solid lubricants are oil-filled microporous polymers. They are ideal for reducing friction and preventing wear, especially in situations where options such as oil or grease would not provide high enough lubrication levels. Solid lubricants are also an excellent choice for hard-to-reach areas for relubrication. Common applications include:

• Food preparation

• Extreme temperatures

• Empty

• Radiation

There are a variety of solid lubricant options, such as:

• Boron nitride

• Polytetrafluoroethylene

• Graphite

• Molybdenum disulfide

Advantages of solid lubricants

In addition to reducing friction and wear, solid lubricants offer the advantage of permanent lubrication without leakage. They generate small amounts of heat and offer low starting torque.

Solid lubricants are ideal for use in the food industry as they are NSF certified for food processing. This type of lubrication will prevent the entry of contaminants and is compatible with acids and other aggressive chemicals. As such, it works well in washdown applications.

Oil/grease lubricants

Oil/grease lubricants are generally more popular than solid lubricants. The two most common types of oil for oil-based lubricants are natural and synthetic mineral oils. Most of the time, manufacturers will mix their chosen oil with a thickening agent to create varying viscosities and properties.

Three properties are essential to take into account when choosing a lubricating oil:

• Viscosity

• Temperature difference

• Evaporation rate

While solid lubricants are the best choice for more permanent lubrication and hard-to-reach areas, oil-based lubricants are ideal for applications where bearing lubricant needs to flow. For example, oil lubrication works well in heat transfer for thermal management and is a good choice for automated lubrication systems.

Benefits of oil/grease lubricants

Compared to solid lubricants, oil-based lubricants are generally easier to control and clean. They perform well at high speeds and temperatures, and offer less starting and running torque. Lubricating oils also have the added benefit of reducing bearing noise and vibration.

Are there specific situations to use one over the other?

In applications where standard lubrication solutions have proven ineffective, solid lubricants are often ideal. In general, solid lubricants are the best choice for bearings in harsh or highly corrosive environments.

Lubricating oils are the best choice for open-bearing designs where low torque and high speed are a priority. This type of lubrication works well in areas where oil flow is available. It also works well to remove heat from the bearing and is more affordable than solid lubrication.

Why choose us for your bearing needs?

For over 40 years at Abdul Traders, we have been serving the bearing needs of customers around the world. The choice of the most appropriate bearing lubricant is essential to maintain the efficiency and safety of the machinery and the general operations of your installation. However, with so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to determine the best solution for your needs. Our experts will work closely with you to recommend the most suitable lubricant for your unique bearing system.

For more details, please visit: www.abdultraders.com

 

 

 

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