Friction, by definition, lives to stop machinery in its tracks. It’s caused by the forces that limit movement between two surfaces. For example, it works to keep your machinery stationary on your floors.
While that aspect of friction can be quite helpful, it’s other attributes hinder the efficiency of your machine.
Friction between the parts of a machine, however, can be combated by effective lubrication. Specifically, metal lubricant fights to keep friction and heat within a mechanical structure to a minimum. This keeps the machinery at both peak safety and maximum efficiency.
With that being said, haphazardly adding metal lubricant to your machinery is not the solution. Keep reading for a few tips on how to apply lubricants to metal.
Using the Correct Lubricant
Lubricants exist to make up for the erosion that friction causes. Because of this, it lengthens the lifespan of frequently used machinery.
For each type of machinery, there are types of lubricants that are preferred for that particular system. Oils and greases are both effective but have different advantages when it comes to metal lubricant use.
Choosing the correct lubrication, therefore, is done based on the machine’s burden and speed required for the task. For example, according to MachineDesign, light loads require machine oil, whereas heavy loads require a grease with an additive for extreme pressure.
Metal Lubricant Starvation: A Silent Killer
Lubricant starvation is one of the most significant contributions to mechanical wear and tear. It is a prominent issue because it is one that is hidden in the depths of the internal machinery.
Machines require a sufficient amount of the correct lubrication. The absence of adequate lubrication leads to corrosion, which occurs because of excess heat and exposure to metal pollutants like oxidizers. These adverse contaminants can be detrimental to a machine’s integrity.
Lubricant starvation is not easily recognizable or detected. That is why it is described as a silent killer. There are a few signs of lubrication starvation, but those require a deep understanding of the machinery itself.
However, this can be avoided altogether by the consistent application of metal lubrication.
Avoid Overgreasing
While it is crucial to lubricate the machinery generously, overgreasing the system can be just as harmful as undergreasing. Most of the symptoms of the two are identical.
On top of that, overgreasing wastes lubricant, which adds an unnecessary expense to your machinery upkeep.
Most overgreasing mistakes occur because of automatic greasing systems. This is not to say that these systems are bad; they just are sometimes overlooked.
Automatic greasing systems need to be correctly calibrated before they are put to use. Most of these systems are calibrated to supply a certain amount of lubrication for a certain time. One thing that would ensure proper calibration is to fraction this number and apply it more frequently.
Finding the Best Metal Lubricant
Correctly applying metal lubricants can seem like a daunting task. However, it is all about knowing all that you can about your machinery to decide on the best lubricant.
Whether you are taking preventative or adjustment measures, Kor-Pak is here for you. If you have any questions, contact us for advice on how to ensure the longevity of your machinery.