Lubricants

Lubricants are substances that are applied to reduce friction between surfaces in mutual contact, which ultimately reduces the heat generated when the surfaces move. They may also have the function of transmitting forces, transporting foreign particles, or heating or cooling the surfaces. The property of reducing friction is known as lubricity.

Types of Lubricants

Lubricants are typically used to separate moving parts in a system. They can be classified into three main categories: liquid, semi-solid, and solid.

Liquid Lubricants

Liquid lubricants are typically made from petroleum or synthetic oils. They are used in a variety of applications, including in engines, gearboxes, and bearings. Some examples of liquid lubricants include motor oil, gear oil, and hydraulic fluid.

Semi-Solid Lubricants

Semi-solid lubricants, also known as greases, are made by combining a liquid lubricant with a thickener. This results in a product that has the lubricating properties of a liquid, but stays in place better. Greases are commonly used in applications where a liquid lubricant would not stay in place, such as wheel bearings and other automotive applications.

Solid Lubricants

Solid lubricants are materials that, despite being solid, can reduce friction between two surfaces sliding against each other without the need for a liquid oil medium. Examples of solid lubricants include graphite, molybdenum disulfide, PTFE, and boron nitride.

Applications

Lubricants are used in many different applications to reduce the friction between moving parts. These include, but are not limited to, automotive and other transportation, industrial machinery, medical equipment, and food processing equipment.

See Also

• Oil
• Grease
• Synthetic oil
• Petroleum

Lubricants Resources
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