The history of industrial lubricating oils

The history of industrial lubricating oils began as soon as man discovered that reduced friction meant greater efficiency. There are many different types of industrial lubricating oil and each oil has been developed over time to serve a different purpose.

Early hand or horse-powered machinery was often made from very heavy, cast metal components. Thick, treacle-like industrial lubricating oils were developed to reduce friction between these heavy surfaces. Early engineers were quick to recognise that proper use of the correct industrial lubricant oil ensured smooth running machinery and longer component life.

The steam engine signalled a new era in the history of industrial lubricant oils as it created challenges that had never been seen before. Steam engines could run faster and for longer than any previous machine but this produced a brand new range of engineering challenges.

Possibly the biggest challenge faced by early engineers was to reduce the amount of friction generated by their machines and at the same time, to reduce the heat generated by that friction. Excessive heat causes metal to expand and expensive machinery to stop working. It was more cost effective to develop effective industrial lubricating oils than keep replacing burned out bearings!

As machinery became faster and more complex and components became lighter in weight, lighter weight industrial lubricating oils were developed to cope with the speed of operation and increased heat generated by high speed machinery. Highly viscous industrial lubricating oils were developed to fill sumps and baths so that delicate machinery was kept constantly lubricated. The lubricating oil was itself cooled by running it through water and air cooled pipes.

As each new engineering challenge was met, a new industrial lubricating oil was developed to service its needs. The early days of the automotive industry saw a huge amount of development money spent on creating efficient lubricating oils that could cope with the constant high speed movement of machine parts.

'Cutting edge' lubricating oil development funded by the pioneers of the motor manufacturing industry and iamed at increasing the efficiency of the motor car also enabled the development of new and more efficient industrial lubricating oils for powered lathes, milling machines and other heavy machinery.

These early industrial lubricating oils were mostly refined lubricants produced from mineral oils or crude oils; but the ever increasing demands made by a fast moving industry prompted the development of a new kind of industrial lubricant: synthetic industrial lubricating oil.

Synthetic lubricating oils are a complex scientifically engineered alternative to petroleum-refined lubricants and provide greater performance and reliability. They combine enhanced mechanical and chemical properties to deliver the required level of performance. Several types of synthetic industrial lubricating oils exist, all containing organic compounds or synthetic hydrocarbons.

High speed machines of all types - from state of the art commercial printers to supersonic aircraft - rely on a wide range of highly developed industrial lubricating oils to keep them running smoothly. Development is ongoing and new lubricants are constantly required to meet the demands of modern industrial engineering.

Interesting facts:

• Industrial lubricants, fluids and coolants are highly specialised and are carefully designed to perform specific tasks.
  
  
• Industrial lubricants are used for several reasons including the reduction of thermal deformation.
  
  
• Industrial lubricants work as a cooling agent and can help to prevent unwanted materials from adhering to surfaces.
  
  
• Industrial lubricants can help reduce the effects of corrosion and rust.
  
  
• Lubricants help to reduce wear and tear, prolong the life of tools and other moving parts, reduce the time spent on maintenance - and of course ultimately ensure a company's profitability over the long term.
  
  
• Different industrial lubricants possess different properties and features. Features that might be important when choosing specific oil include resistance to heat, oxidation inhibiting ability and biodegradable ability.
  
  
• Flash point is an important consideration when choosing an industrial lubricating oil - the flash point is the lowest temperature at which liquid can emit enough vapours to cause an ignition.
  
  
• Some industrial lubricants contain a high percentage of water and are generally known in the industry as HWCF - high water content fluids.
  
  
• Synthetic industrial lubricants generally provide an effective resistance to heat as well as excellent cooling abilities; they don't contain a petroleum or mineral oil base.