Lubricants have been used in machines and engines for as long as the apparatuses have been around. First, it was oil or baking grease; then science developed other types of lubes to help machines run longer and safer. Although many people know lubricants are used to make machine parts slip past each other, there is much more to lubes than that. Here is the story behind why engines need lubrication.

Friction

If you have ever stood next to a heavy-duty machine while it is running, you may have felt the heat emanating from the moving parts. As the machine grew hotter, you may have run to a lubricant supplier VA, for help in keeping the machine safe. The heat you felt was from the friction of two machine parts that moved past one another close enough to touch. Using lubricant can reduce the amount of resistance and thus reduce the heat generated from the machine. Removing the heat can prolong the life of the unit.

Abrasion

When the machine parts move past one another, they often break off small pieces of metal. Those particles can be abrasive and cause problems as the unit grabs the particles and pushes them against other surfaces – breaking more pieces off. Lubrication creates a film that captures the tiny flakes and allows the machinery to slip past one another using elastohydrodynamic or hydrodynamic films.

Filters

Once the particles are captured, the lubricant can be run through a filter that removes the broken flakes from the machine operation. It works like a self-cleaning vacuum cleaner.

Humidity

Metal and water are considered enemies. Rust, corrosion, and deterioration are often the result if metal and water meet. Lubricants often carries water-removing additives to help control and remove water from the machine’s operation.

If you want to prolong the life of your machinery and engines, use lubricants. You will also save money on repair costs, have more reliable machine service, and provide a more efficient working environment.