Archive

Understanding Industrial Greases

Lubrication Engineers, Inc. (LE) is a leading developer and manufacturer of industrial greases. This blog is an overview of our eBook, which delves into the types, characteristics, functionality and applications of industrial greases.

Understanding Industrial Greases

Proper lubrication of equipment is essential for efficient and cost-effective industrial operations. Industrial grease is a semi-solid lubricant consisting of base fluid, thickener and additives. The base fluid and additives are often considered the most important parts of industrial grease formulations because they affect the grease’s lubricating characteristics. The thickener holds the base oil and additives in place in applications where fluid lubricant would run right out.

Functionality of Grease

Grease provides lubrication between moving, contacting surfaces without leaking or losing lubricity under the force of centrifugal action, gravity or pressure. It acts as a sealant to keep out contaminants and foreign substances, minimize lubricant leakage, and prevent corrosion. When there is a desire to include solid lubricants, such as very heavily loaded applications, the thickened grease keeps them in suspension whereas they could settle out of a fluid lubricant before reaching the lubricated contact. Grease’s rigidity allows for easier containment than oil, with simpler, less expensive retention devices.

Choosing the Right Grease

Industrial greases are often recommended for specific applications through an evaluation of various physical and chemical characteristics. Some of the important characteristics include:

• Thickener: Soap-thickened greases are by far the most used. Different soaps can provide specific benefits in thickening efficiency, shear stability and compatibility with additives, base fluids and other greases they might be mixed with.
• Base Fluid: Grease often contains one or several base fluids mixed in a ratio to adjust the base fluid to a desired viscosity.
• Additives: Ingredients are added to grease to impart additional performance properties, such as extreme pressure, anti-wear, corrosion resistance, oxidation resistance, and tackiness. LE developed proprietary additives for exclusive use in its lubricants.

All grease ingredients, properly dispersed, affect the following characteristics:

• Pumpability: A measure of how easily it is pushed into a mechanical device.
• Consistency: Ability to resist deformation due to an applied force.
• Water resistance: Determines how susceptible its properties are to change when exposed to water.
• Oxidation stability: Grease’s ability to resist reacting with oxygen. Oxidation typically causes sludge or lacquer-like deposits in equipment, which can slow operation and increase friction and wear.
• Dropping point: Indicates a grease’s heat resistance.
• Low-temperature effects: Typically, the base oil’s pour point provides a guideline for the low-temperature limit of most industrial greases.

High-temperature effects: Because grease is semi-solid, it cannot dissipate heat by convection like fluid lubricants. High temperatures can damage the thickener structure of the grease, allowing it to soften and possibly flow out of the application.

Lubrication Engineers works with companies all over the world to create customized lubrication reliability programs using top-of-the-line grease formulations. Offering a full line of high-performance industrial greases, LE provides proven lubrication solutions for many industries. To learn more about industrial greases and their common applications, please download our eBook: Understanding Industrial Greases

Understanding Food & Beverage Lubricants

Lubrication Engineers, Inc. (LE) is a leading provider of high-quality lubricants, including a wide range of NSF H1-approved food-grade options. These lubricants are specifically designed to meet the unique needs of the food and beverage industry, ensuring safe and efficient operations. This blog is an overview of our eBook, which delves into NSF H1 and USDA H2 compliance standards as well as the importance of food and beverage lubricants.

Why Food-Grade Lubricants are Important for Food & Beverage Industry

Food-grade lubricants are distinct from regular cooking oils and are used to lubricate machinery in food processing plants to prevent contamination and ensure smooth operation. These lubricants must be safe for incidental contact with food. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) considers food contaminated if it has more than 10 parts per million of lubricant.

In the food and beverage industry, contamination is a serious concern that can lead to costly product recalls and damage to a company’s reputation. Over half of all product recalls between 2008 and 2017 were due to biotoxins and chemical contamination. Food-grade lubricants play a crucial role in preventing contamination by reducing the risk of leaks, spills, and over-lubrication. These lubricants are formulated to be safe for incidental contact with food, ensuring that even if a small amount of lubricant does come into contact with food, it will not pose a health hazard.

Types of Food-Grade Lubricants

• NSF H1 lubricants: The NSF H1 standard is specifically designed for lubricants used in food processing plants where there is a potential for incidental contact with food. This includes equipment such as conveyor belts, pumps, mixers, and machinery used in canning, cooking, peeling, slicing, bottling, cutting, and brewing.

• USDA H2 lubricants: These lubricants are used on equipment that indirectly supports food and beverage processing, such as forklifts, and have no chance of direct contact with food.

When selecting a food-grade lubricant, it is essential to consider the specific application and the potential for contact with food. If there is a risk of incidental contact, an NSF H1 lubricant should be used. If there is no chance of contact, an H2 lubricant may be sufficient.

Benefits of Food-Grade Lubricants

• Reduced risk of product recalls: Contamination from lubricants can lead to costly product recalls, which can have a devastating impact on a company’s bottom line. By using food-grade lubricants, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of recalls.
• Maintains efficient operations: Food-grade lubricants are designed to meet the same performance standards as regular lubricants, ensuring that equipment operates smoothly and efficiently. This can help to reduce downtime and improve productivity.
• Safe for incidental contact: Food-grade lubricants are designed to be safe for incidental contact with food, protecting consumers and maintaining the integrity of products.

Food-grade lubricants are essential for protecting food safety and maintaining efficient operations in food and beverage manufacturing facilities. By understanding the different types of food-grade lubricants and their specific applications, businesses can make informed decisions to ensure the safety and quality of their products. To learn more about food-grade lubricants and their common applications, please download our eBook: Understanding Food & Beverage Lubricants

A Sustainable Approach to Industrial Lubrication

Lubrication Engineers, Inc. (LE) presents a compelling argument for the integration of sustainability principles within the industrial lubrication landscape. This blog is an overview of our eBook, which delves into LE’s commitment to the environmental pillar of sustainability, showcasing how our products, services and corporate practices contribute to a more ecologically responsible future.

LE’s Enduring Commitment to Sustainability

Since 1951, LE has demonstrated a steadfast dedication to sustainability, which is manifest in several key areas:

• Product Innovation: LE prioritizes the development of long-lasting, environmentally friendly lubricants. These formulations are specifically engineered to minimize energy consumption and waste generation while protecting equipment. 
• Production and Operations: In 2009, LE adopted a transformative approach to production processes by implementing a condition-based maintenance program. This shift treats lubricants as assets, not consumables, and has resulted in the significant reduction of gearbox oil consumption and maintenance hours. 
• Employee Satisfaction: The transition to reliability programs not only benefits the environment, but also prioritizes employee safety and well-being. LE invests in comprehensive training and advanced tools like Xtract® filter carts, Xport® Single Point Lubricators and Xclude® desiccant breathers. 

Empowering Customers for Sustainable Practices

LE recognizes that true sustainability requires a collaborative effort. We actively support our customers’ sustainability goals through a multipronged approach:

• Customer Education & Training: LE offers comprehensive training classes like MLT I and CLS. This training equips customers with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed lubrication choices that align with environmental responsibility.
• Customer Engagement: LE fosters strong partnerships with their customers, providing onsite recommendations, education and ongoing support. This collaborative approach allows LE to work closely with customers to understand their specific equipment and lubrication needs.
• Reduced Waste: LE’s commitment to waste reduction is evident in our extended service interval lubricants and oil analysis programs, which minimize unnecessary lubricant changes and disposal. Additionally, LE provides specialized tools for lubricant contamination removal, further extending lubricant lifespan and minimizing waste generation.

Tangible Benefits of LE’s Sustainability Approach

LE’s unwavering commitment to sustainability translates into a multitude of tangible benefits for both the environment and our customers:

• Energy Savings
• Reduced Waste
• Reduced Downtime
• Environmental Compliance

Our dedication to sustainability extends far beyond simply offering environmentally friendly products. We champion a holistic approach that minimizes environmental impact while maximizing customer benefits. To learn more about our sustainability solutions, please download our eBook: Green for All: Sustainable Solutions from Lubrication Engineers.