Top Benefits of Using Lubricant Additives in Industrial Machinery

Most lubricants available in the market today contain additives, but what are these additives, and why are they used? Whether you’re a business owner or technician, it is important that you are aware of lubricant additives, as they can optimize the performance of your machines.   

What Are Lubricant Additives?  

Lubricant additives are chemicals or substances added to improve the base oil’s properties, suppress its undesirable properties and give it new properties. They make up 0.1 to 30 per cent of the finished lubricating oil, depending on the application of the lubricant.  

Types Of Lubricant Additives  

There are different types of lubricant additives available in the market.  

• ANTICORROSION ADDITIVES: Used to reduce surface degradation of non-noble metals. 
• ANTIFOAMING ADDITIVES: Used to reduce oxidation by lowering air-to-oil contact.  
• ANTIOXIDANT LUBRICANT ADDITIVES: Used to reduce oxidation of the lubricant, which extends its life.  
• ANTI-WEAR ADDITIVE: Used as a protective film to preserve loaded metal surfaces. 
• ULTRAVIOLET DYES: Used as a visual marker for inspection and testing properties.  
• CONDUCTIVE AGENT: Used for electrical or thermal conductivity  
• DEMULSIFIERS: Used to prevent water from mixing with the lubricant  
• DETERGENTS: Used to neutralize acids and prevent deposits on metal components  
• EXTREME PRESSURE: Used to prevent seizures or damage of surfaces under extreme pressure. 
• FRICTION MODIFIER: Used to lower the friction coefficient  
• HIGH-TEMPERATURE ENHANCER: Used to increase the temperature limit of the lubricant  
• POUR POINT LUBRICANT ADDITIVES: Used to maintain the fluid’s viscosity at low temperatures.  

• TACKIFIER: Used to improve the tackiness of the lubricant  
• VISOCOSITY MODIFIER: Used to change the viscosity of the lubricant.  

Benefits Of Lubricant Additives in Industrial Machinery  

• Reduces Friction  

The main reason a lubricant is used is to reduce friction between moving parts. When two surfaces come into contact, the resulting friction can lead to wear and tear, which can decrease the efficiency of a machine. Lubricant additives create a thin protective film between two surfaces so that they glide effortlessly. This reduces friction and protects the machine from damage. 

• Dissipates Heat  

Friction between two surfaces can lead to heat buildup, which can damage machinery. Lubricant additives absorb and dissipate the heat, thus preventing overheating and damage to critical components. In high-speed and heavy-load applications, effective heat dissipation is important for optimal performance and durability of machines.  

• Prevents Wear and Tear  

Lubricants act as a protective barrier that prevents metal-metal contact between machine parts. By forming a protective layer, they ensure that the machine operates optimally and reliably.   

• Protects Against Corrosion  

Industrial machinery operating in harsh environments are often subjected to moisture and corrosive substances. Lubricants offer corrosion protection by forming a shield that protects surfaces from rust and degradation.  

• Reduces Noise 

 The presence of lubricants reduces friction between moving parts. In applications where noise can be an issue, lubricant additives ensure a quieter work environment.  

• Prevents Costly Breakdowns 

Proper lubrication is a cornerstone of machine maintenance and reliability by reducing friction. Dissipating heat, protecting against wear and reducing noise they prevent costly breakdowns.  

Why You Should Be Careful While Using Lubricant Additives?  

• Adding More Additives Is Not Always a Good Idea  

It’s possible that you’ve heard that excess of any kind is harmful. The same goes for lubricant additives. There should be a balance in the number of additives. If you add more of an additive, it won’t improve the performance of the lubricant further. Instead, it will only lead to money wastage.  

• Use The Right Additive Mixture  

Mixing two different lubricant additives can have unexpected results. For e.g., if you mix an anti-wear and anticorrosion additive, they will have to compete for the surface space, so you might end up with an increase in corrosion, which is entirely opposite of what you expected the additive to do.  

• Perform Root Cause Analysis Before Using a Lubricant Additive  

While advancements in technology have improved the performance and durability of lubricant additives, it is important to follow best practices. For example, before using a demulsifying additive to reduce water contamination in your lubricant, you must perform a root cause analysis to figure out from where water is entering your system. Solely relying on lubricant additives is a less holistic approach to lubrication management and asset reliability.  

Additives are a vital part of the lubrication process as they improve the performance and life of your equipment, but you need to be careful of how you use them and what might affect their efficacy. Implementing a lubricant analysis is a good way to ensure that you get the most out of additives.   

About Vinati Organics 

Vinati Organics is a leading manufacturer of chemicals of speciality chemicals with a sustained market presence in over 35 countries. We supply top-quality and highly effective lubricant additives like VEENOX L135 to diverse industries in US, Europe and Asia. Our commitment to excellence and innovation is evident in the superior performance of our VEENOX L135. With more than 35 years of experience, you can rely on us to provide high-quality solutions that meet your industrial needs. Get in touch for further details on our lubricant additives