Exploring the Technological Advancement in Industrial Oils

The Evolution and Importance of Industrial Oils

The industrial revolution was among the most important events in the course of our history, switching from the use of animal power to the power of engines has altered the way everyone live and think.

The industrial revolution has led to the invention of engines, development of machines, and the constant research on how to improve efficiency. One of the key answers was the use of oils between moving parts.

These lubricants which has helped significantly to reduce friction and protect the machines components from wear and tear. But, as they came to realize later, using the base oils alone has a dark side and negative effect on the machines which is why there was a need to find other ways to make industrial lubricants that can protect the machines without compromising their safety.

Advancement in Industrial Oils: How to Enhance it?

To understand how we can enhance industrial oils, we have to know first what they are made of. The answer is simple, industrial oils whether it is made by Armor Lubricants, or any other lubricants manufacturer formulate from a base oil and additives.

The base oil as the name suggest is the basis of the lubricant, which possess the lubrication properties, and additives are special substance that are added to improve some of the existing properties, inhibit undesirable ones, or add new properties we require for higher efficiency.

Back to our question, how do make industrial oils better? We use a base oil of higher quality, or better additives.

Industrial Oils Additives

When you are looking to buy industrial oils from a Lubricants supplier, the differences in prices between companies mainly caused by the difference in quality due to:

• Concentration of additives
• Additives source
• The additives added to the formula

Based on that information, a good industrial oil requires a combination of base oil, with the right types of additives, at precise concentration.

Types of Industrial Oils Additives

Additives are key to alter the properties of the base oil, and shape industrial oils as the industry needs. From a sea of additives to choose from, manufacturers pick the ones that can increase the protection, control the oxidation, prevent corrosion etc.

Here, we will talk about the commonly used additives, and explain their uses.

Viscosity Modifiers

Viscosity modifiers (VM), also known as Viscosity Index Improvers (VII), are additives that increase the viscosity of lubricating oils. The purpose of a VM is to thicken a low-viscosity base fluid to a useful viscosity at high temperatures while not increasing the viscosity too much at low temperatures.

Pour-Point Depressants

Lubricant manufacturers use additives to have industrial oils with lower pour point that is lower than the temperature of the starting temperature of the machine. Some Pour-Point Depressants can lower the pour point by as much as 40°.

Anti-Wear Agents (AW)

This type of additives is used prevent metal-to-metal contact between moving parts as they create a protective film on the metal surfaces that forms a barrier to reduce direct contact.

One of the most common AW agents is Zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP). It is used since it can form a protective phosphate-based film on metal surfaces.

Extreme-Pressure Agents (EP)

Although they do the similar objective, Extreme-pressure additives offer stronger properties than anti-wear. They also protect the moving parts from the metal loss due contact, but they are activated by when high loads applied on them.

EP additives are versatile and can offer protection in both high-temperature and non-temperature related scenarios. They work effectively across a wide range of operating conditions, ensuring the lubricant’s performance remains stable and dependable under various temperature and pressure conditions.

Friction Modifiers

Friction modifiers are used to reduce friction when there is light contact such in some types of movements such as sliding and rolling. Some people call them boundary lubrication additives.

Metal Deactivators

Used when the base oil may contain traces of dissolved metals like copper, vanadium which can increase the rate of oxidation of the lubricant.

Oxidation can impact the cooling system negatively as it leads to the formation of various undesirable by-products.

Rust And Corrosion Inhibitors

Corrosion inhibitor additives are added reduce the material corrosion rate because they form a passive layer on the metal surface, so the metal does not directly come in contact with the corrosive fluid.

The main purpose of a corrosion inhibitor additive is to prevent the conditions that would cause oxidation, or rust, to occur.

How Did Industrial Oils Change in the Last Few Years?

We have witnessed a fast change in industry during the last few years, more studies, and research has led to improvement in different fields.

The effect on industrial oil was huge, industrial oils are made now to be more fuel efficient, and cause less negative impact on the machine. As a result, the machinery became more productive which is our purpose. How you wonder? Allow me to explain.

Nano technology

It is amazing how a tiny change can make huge difference. Using nanoparticles in the manufacturing of additives resulted in products with better properties even though we are using the same material.

Synthetic base oils

Synthetic base oils are little expensive compared to conventional oils, yet they are better. As more companies are switching synthetic, we could get better industrial oils.

Using new manufacturing methods

Researchers are always looking for better and more efficient ways to enhance production, cost control, and quality. With new manufacturing methods for base oils, or additives we ended up with products offering higher performance longer lifespan.