It’s well known that proper lubrication is essential for getting the best performance and longest service life out of bearings. However, different bearing types have different lubrication requirements depending on how they are used. Factors such as operating temperature, operation speed, load and frequency or length of time they are in use will affect a system’s lubrication needs.
(Image courtesy of The Chemours Company.)
But many machine operators aren’t cleaning and relubricating their bearing systems properly, which increases failure rates and downtime and decreases productivity.
Proper Cleaning and Relubrication of Bearing Systems
Dirt, particulate debris, anti-rust preservatives and residue from old lubricants are challenges for any bearing system. These factors all have a hand in limiting lubricity, resulting in failures.
Proper cleaning, preparation and relubrication of the bearings can mitigate these risks.
According to The Chemours Company, a lubrication specialist, specific procedures should be followed when cleaning bearings to ensure that no particulates, resides or moisture gets left in the system. One should also ensure that the correct type and amount of lubricant is being used.
Advantages of Synthetic PFPE Lubricants
When searching for the right bearing lubricant, non-traditional synthetics such as Chemours PFPE (perfluoropolyether) Krytox lubricant can offer significant advantages over traditional petroleum-based hydrocarbon lubricants.
PFPE lubricants are shown to offer longer performance life under extreme conditions, such as high temperature, high pressure or exposure to harsh chemicals. These harsh environments can result in more maintenance costs and parts replacement, but using the best lubricant for the job can help avoid those problems.
Hydrocarbon-based lubricants may break down and fail at extreme temperatures, pressures or chemical exposure. This means bearings systems that need more frequent maintenance, and may have shortened service life spans.
PFPE lubricants, however, last longer even in extreme conditions.
Benefits of PFPE lubricants include:
- High stability in harsh conditions
- Better temperature resistance than petroleum-based hydrocarbon lubricants
- Chemically inert compared to commonly used industrial chemicals
- Water and oil repellant and solvent resistant
- Nonflammable and compatible with oxygen and reactive gases
- Compatible with most commonly used elastomers, plastics and metals
- Non-toxic
High Temperature Testing
One of the key advantages to PFPE lubricant is its performance under high temperature conditions. Machine operation temperatures above 120 degrees Celsius or below 0 degrees Celsius cause petroleum-based lubricants to begin to fail. But Krytox PFPE lubricants are stable up to 350 degrees Celsius and as low as -75 degrees Celsius.
A demonstration side-by-side high temperature test placed hydrocarbon and PFPE Krytox greases in an oven at 232 degrees Celsius (450 degrees Fahrenheit) for 40 hours.
The hydrocarbon grease lost up to 40 percent of its weight, no longer performing as an adequate lubricant, and also developed tar. The PFPE Krytox grease retained its weight, appearance and lubricating ability.
In a high-temperature test, Krytox PFPE lubricant retained its weight and appearance. A hydrocarbon grease lost 40 percent of its weight and developed tar. (Image courtesy of The Chemours Company.)
Even though these PFPEs do cost more per unit than hydrocarbon lubricants, they recoup their cost with lower maintenance costs, reduced repair and replacement schedules and higher productivity.
A lubrication specialist such as Chemours can assess bearing systems and ensure use of the right lubricant for the job.
Follow the links for more information on Chemours and their Krytox PFPE lubricants, and the proper way to clean and relubricate bearings.
The Chemours Company has sponsored this post. It has no editorial input into this post. All opinions are mine. –James Anderton
Krytox™ is a trademark of The Chemours Company FC, LLC.