Understanding the Uses of Lubricants in Various Industries

Here is a quick question, do you know what is used in automobiles, industrial tools, and other machinery to reduce the friction between two surfaces in contact with each other? If you answered ‘Lubricants’, you are certainly correct.

They are used across various industries to maintain or improve the overall performance of the machinery by reducing the chances of wear through the frictional force generated between them.

With the increasing demand for machinery and equipment in different industries, the lubricant industry is on the rise and is expected to reach $200.91 billion in 2033 from $152.57 billion in 2025. (Straits Research: Lubricants Statistics)

Different industries require varied lubricants depending on the nature and type of equipment used in it. Curious to know more about it? Read on to learn more as we discuss a variety of lubricating solutions for different sectors.

Let’s Begin With Lubricating Oils

Lubricating oils are generally liquid, thin in consistency, constituting polymer chains and numerous additives. These additives have antioxidants that do not “permit” the oil to undergo oxidation.

The lengthiness of the polymer chains prevents the oils from being easily squeezed out from the surfaces, however, once you apply them, they act efficiently to decrease friction and wear. The viscosity of these oils mostly depends on the weight, and the lower the numbers, the easier the flow.

Lubricating oils are perfect for different types of equipment and machines, where grease is not suitable. Generally speaking, lubricating oils are very versatile and are widely used in bearing tools, lubricating hinges, and blade sharpening.

In comparison to grease, these oils have practically no resistance, which makes them perfect for applications that require minimal friction.

Lubricants That Are Part Of The Automotive Industry

Those of you having even the slightest knowledge of the automotive industry and the things it encompasses must know that it offers a vast selection of lubricants. They have been part of it for a very long time, hence it is no surprise that these days, you can encounter all kinds of premium lubricants for industrial use that will make sure your car functions seamlessly.

Apart from that, they are also utilized for corrosion reduction, and temperature maintenance and can significantly extend the life of your engine and all its parts.

Additionally, lubricants are typically plastic, oily, or solid, but some options possess the qualities of all of these. The one that is most frequently employed is grease or oil, however, many others are popular as well.

If you haven’t bought lubricants before, then it would be wise to get familiar with the most common and important options before you opt for one. Here is a list to help you with it:

Engine oil – This one is possibly the most used, and plays a significant role in the automotive industry.
Greases – They can be produced from synthetic products, petroleum, different additives, and thickener
Gear oil – It is mostly utilized for transmission boxes, manual transmissions, and differentials in vehicles
Penetration lubricants – These flowy fluids have a very low viscosity
Dry lubricants – These are typically made from various sorts of liquids, such as alcohol, water, and dry lubricating particles.

While we are on the topic, the automotive lubricant market is currently worth $73.07 billion and is expected to reach $84.41 billion in 2033.

Let’s Learn More About The Grease Lubricants

Coming to another popular choice, grease lubricants are made by combining oil (usually mineral oil) with thickeners like lithium-infused soaps. Various particles may be mixed with different lubricants like graphite, molybdenum disulfide, and many others.

These can be combined with the oil’s lubricants to make them a lot thicker and enable them to get collected to the surface. Additionally, they can act as barriers, protecting the surfaces from numerous harmful contaminants capable of destroying the surface.

For instance, different oils and greases can be found in different kinds of consistencies. But it’s only drawback is the fact that it easily causes resistance, because of its stickiness and thickness.

Today, it is used in linkages, chains, gears, and bearings. Industrial lubricant manufacturers employ them in heavy commercial vehicles or cars.

Moving On To Dry Lubricants

Yes, you heard it right, many people are unaware of these kinds of lubricants. They are made from fine particles, causing them to be so slippery. On the market, you also find them in spray forms. They are typically combined with alcohol, water, or any other solvent that easily evaporates, leaving a very thin layer.

Now, some of you might be wondering, when are you supposed to utilize dry lubricants? Lots of people and companies leverage them on threaded roads, hinges, and locks. These are the perfect choice for people who wish to avoid lubricants that attract dirt or dust.

On the flip side, you shouldn’t use them when the application is exposed to liquids or solvents that can eliminate the remaining lubricant.

FUN FACT
The word lubricant comes from the Latin word lubricus, which means “slippery”.

Penetrating Lubricants

Those of you who generally love repairing things all on your own or “experimenting” with engines, then you’re surely going to adore these lubricants and their applications. Penetrating lubricants are the perfect choice for difficult-to-get-rid-of bolts and nuts.

But remember that they are not intended for durable lubrication, they are particularly formulated to apply them into tighter regions, break down dust, and, at the same time, boost lubrication.

Just like with many other types of lubricants, these also come with a variety of different benefits, and the most obvious ones are listed down for you:

Eradicating Sized Nuts and Bolts: These lubricating oils are a perfect solution whenever you want to eliminate seized bolts and nuts. You can seep them into very tight spaces, and, simultaneously, dissolve debris and rust, which then results in obstruction.
Breaking Down Adhesives: Every time you are required to deal with persistent adhesives, like tape residue or stickers, you can resort to penetrating oils to break down the glue, and, concurrently, to get rid of the adhesive easily.
Repairing: Penetrating oils are also often used in warehouses for repairing things. Since they are capable of breaking down the corrosion or buildup on your equipment or machinery, they can prove to be a huge benefit in repairing.

From all that we discussed in this article, it can be said that even though there are all kinds of lubricants on the market, something that all of them have in common is that they make anything (you use them for) a lot more efficient, by reducing wear as much as possible.