The following is a general overview of the industrial applications for lubricants. There are many specific applications depending on the industry, and different types of machinery.

Concrete Form Oil

Lubricants which are formulated to provide a clean, quick release of the plywood, metal, or plastic forms from concrete after setting. Usually available in a light viscosity to accommodate spraying of the lubricant on the forms.

Cutting Oils

The main functions of a cutting oil are to lubricate or reduce friction between the tool and the workpiece, and to act as a coolant by rapidly removing heat generated at the tool-workpiece interface.

Soluble cutting oils are mixed with water in proportions of 3 to10%. They are used where rapid heat removal is a major requirement. Usually formulated with emulsifiers, rust inhibitors, and EP additives.

Insoluble cutting oils are used in operations involving tough cutting such as tapping, threading, and broaching. Lubricity and anti-weld characteristics are important characteristics of this cutting oil.

Chain Oil

These oils are formulated to lubricate saw chains, and should provide the following benefits:

• An unbroken film of lubricant between chain links and bars.
• Anti-wear characteristics to prevent chain and bar wear.
• Chain oil should have throw-off resistance. Classified as "tacky".
• Prevent corrosion of the chain.

Tip! The winter grade may be used as an air filter coating where a tacky product is required for dust removal.

Compressor Oil

Oils which are formulated for use in reciprocating and rotary air compressors. Available in different viscosity grades for use in different ambient temperature ranges.

Heat Transfer Fluids

A lubricant used as a heat transfer medium in applications such as:

• Plastic extrusion machines.
• Textile dryers.
• Die casting.

Some high quality heat transfer fluids can provide clean, odorless operation up to temperatures of 326°C. Petro Canada has a product named CALFLO which is a unique semi-synthetic heat transfer fluid.

Hydraulic Oil

Hydraulic systems provide a means to transfer power where gears are impractical. A typical system includes a reservoir for the hydraulic fluid, a pump, transfer hoses, and return hoses to the reservoir.

The important characteristics of a hydraulic fluid are:

• Thermal stability
• Corrosion protection
• Anti-wear properties
• Anti-foaming properties

The oil is available in different viscosity grades to accommodate a variety of ambient operating temperatures.

Industrial Gear Lubricants

These oils provide protection to different types of industrial gears which are often operated under high contact pressures, and intermittent shock-loading. Gear lubricants often contain an EP (Extreme Pressure) Additive.

A wide variety of ISO viscosity grades are available from your supplier

Refrigeration Lubricant

This lubricant is used in commercial refrigeration compressor systems.

This oil is available in two formulations:

1. For use in CFC (chlorinated fluorocarbon) systems.
2. For use in ammonia refrigeration systems.