Dow Corning hydraulic oils extend equipment uptime, reduce maintenance costs in high-moisture environments

Citation

(2003), "Dow Corning hydraulic oils extend equipment uptime, reduce maintenance costs in high-moisture environments", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 55 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ilt.2003.01855fad.001

Dow Corning hydraulic oils extend equipment uptime, reduce maintenance costs in high-moisture environments

Dow Corning hydraulic oils extend equipment uptime, reduce maintenance costs in high-moisture environments

Keywords: Hydraulics, Oils, Equipment

A family of high-moisture-resistant Molykote^® hydraulic oils is available from Dow Corning. The products are unique blends of synthetic polyalpha olefin (PAO) and chemically engineered mineral oils that provide exceptional life in high-moisture environments.

Molykote hydraulic oils feature a proprietary formulation designed to lower overall maintenance costs vs conventional mineral-oil lubricants due to longer oil-drain intervals, wider operating-temperature ranges, reduced lubricant consumption, and extended equipment lifetime. These hydraulic oils help to eliminate problems associated with high-humidity environments where conventional solvent-refined lubricants tend to bond to water, which causes oil emulsification and breakdown that results in a build up of varnish, sludge and/or deposits. As a result, Molykote hydraulic oils are particularly suited for use in wet processing environments such as the food and beverage and pulp and paper industries.

Conventional hydraulic lubricants can be sensitive to emulsification. The high pressures and pump rates common to hydraulic applications can exacerbate the situation further. But use of Molykote hydraulic oils yields different results. In fact, oxidation testing shows that Molykote hydraulic oils last three to five times longer than competitive fluids. With water-contaminated applications that are commonly used in processing plants (e.g. meat dumpers), Molykote hydraulic oils can eliminate required oil changes caused by emulsification.

The reason that Molykote hydraulic oils provide better performance in hydraulic applications is that these lubricants are produced quite differently than conventional fluids. Whereas most competitive mineral oils are manufactured by refining – a solvent- based process that can retain contaminants from the crude-oil source – Molykote mineral oils are custom engineered at a molecular level to formulate a unique base oil that meets targeted performance specifications. Molecular reconstruction makes it easier for Dow Corning to tailor lubricant properties to meet customer requirements. This process also avoids the problem of retained contaminants common to conventional refined mineral oils, whose presence can lead to acid development and premature aging of the oil. Molykote hydraulic oils provide the additional advantages of lower lubricant consumption, longer oil-drain intervals, and extended equipment life – benefits that add up to reduced maintenance costs and effort.

For even better performance, Dow Corning blends its super-formulated mineral oils with powerful synthetic PAOs – well known for their hydrophobic (water shedding) properties – to create a unique formulation that is ideal for hydraulic applications. The resulting super-saturated molecule has no receptive sites (open orbitals) for water to bond to, so the oil is better able to resist emulsification in high-moisture environments than competitive fluids.

Molykote hydraulic oils also offer reduced lubricant consumption, longer oil-drain intervals, and extended equipment life – benefits that add up to reduced maintenance costs and effort.

Several of the products are formulated in accordance with FDA Regulation 21 CFR 178.3570 for food-grade lubricants with incidental food contact. Furthermore, the Molykote family has an extensive listing of Kosher-approved oils. These lubricants are available in pour points down to –51°C (–60° F), with a range of viscosity grades from 32 to 68 ISO.

Molykote hydraulic oils contain additives for foam control, oxidation resistance, and anti-wear, as well as a unique aging marker that can provide precise information about the condition of the oil through sample analysis. The oils are part of the Molykote Total Industrial Lubrication Consolidation Program from Dow Corning.

Molykote Total Industrial Lubrication Consolidation Program

The Molykote Total Industrial Lubrication Consolidation Program, introduced early in 2002 by Dow Corning, offers a comprehensive package of lubricants and related services designed to help customers reduce overall maintenance costs, extend equipment life, and simplify the purchasing process by consolidating all lubrication- related activities with one supplier.

The program features the introduction of 42 new industrial fluids that are marketed under the Molykote brand name; an oil-analysis service; and lubrication management software, which together complement the company's traditional line of Dow Corning brand industrial lubricants and related services that meet virtually every plant lubrication need.

With the addition of its new line of Molykote fluids to its line of Dow Corning- brand industrial lubricants, the company offers the most complete selection available to meet virtually every industrial plant lubrication requirement. The selection includes synthetic and ultra-high-purity mineral-oil fluids, specialty lubricant compounds, greases, pastes, anti-friction coatings, and dispersions.

A typical industrial customer who consolidates with this product and service package may expect to achieve six categories of benefits, including:

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  better return on capital investment through longer machine life;

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  improved overall productivity through extended fill intervals;

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  streamlined inventory through elimination of items with similar properties;

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  better preventative maintenance through integrated oil analysis;

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  better equipment performance through selection and quality of lubricant; and

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  more effective maintenance management through better informed decision- making.

For further information about Molykote hydraulic oils, or Dow Corning's complete line of Molykote high-performance industrial lubricants, as well as product literature, Visit E-mail: industrial@dowcorning.com; Web site: www.Molykote.com