Lubricants and Lubrication

A lubricant is used for one or more of the following purposes: 1.To reduce friction: 2.To prevent wear: 3.To prevent adhesion: 4.To aid in distributing the load: 5.To cool the moving elements: and 6.To prevent corrosion.

The range of materials used as lubricants has been greatly broadened over the years so that in addition to oils and greases many plastics and solids and even gases are now being applied in this role .

The only limitations on many of these materials are their ability to replenish themselves , to dissipate frictional heat ,their reaction to high environmental temperatures ,and their stability in combined environments.

Because of the wide selection of lubricating materials available , great care is advisable in choosing the material and the method of application .   The following types of lubricants are available: 1.petroleum fluids: 2.synthetic fluids: 3.greases: 4.solid films : 5.working fluids: 6.gases: 7.plastics: 8.animal fat: 9.metallic and mineral films: and 10.vegetable oils.