Lubricants are substances typically used to reduce friction between parts in contact but, depending on the type, they also perform various other functions such as heat regulation, power transmission, sealing against dust or dirt, as well as reducing oxidation and preventing corrosion. They come typically in liquid form (water, natural or synthetic oils), semi-solid form (greases), solid form (pastes) but also in other forms. Depending upon the application, one type of lubricant will work better then another. For intense friction and high-speed applications, oil-based lubricants are usually the best choice. Components carrying heavy loads, or positioned or move vertically, typically require a grease. Grease stays in place and provides a longer lasting barrier between components, such as wheel-bearings, nuts, bolts, etc. Lubricants, chemicals & other  consumables are commonly encountered in aviation and many other industries. Different systems, tools and fittings enable their proper application and use for their intended function. Chemicals are sometimes termed also as lubricants but the term is most commonly used to denote surface preparation materials, paints and coatings, coolants, adhesives & sealants, cleaning products, fluids and others.

Structured in different sub-categories (product classes), an extensive range of lubricants and chemicals are included in our offered portfolio. These include piston & turbine engine oils (abbreviated as PEO/TEO), greases, other lubricants, hydraulic & other fluids, various cleaning, lubrication & corrosion prevention products (CLPs), adhesives & sealants, surface treatments & coatings as well as specialty and other aviation & industrial lubricants & chemicals. Some of the most commonly used lubricants & chemicals are briefly discussed below. 

Oils  

Oils are the most commonly used lubricants with numerous fields of application from aircraft & automobile engines to aviation and industrial turbines or lubricating of different parts such as gears, hinges, bearings, etc. They are suitable to use in high temperatures and high-speed applications. Base oil refers to the main ingredient that is present in most lubricants. Viscosity is an important parameter in the selection of oil. It refers to the nature of flow that oil exhibits at a specified temperature. To determine the viscosity for an oil, it is necessary to understand the two types of viscosity: dynamic viscosity (a measure of fluid’s resistance to flow) and kinematic viscosity (a measure of the velocity of fluid flow).

Dry Lubricants

Dry lubricants are suitable when oils or greases cannot be used for lubrication purposes in extreme operating conditions such as vacuum, corrosive environment, or extreme temperatures. These can be classified into powdered form solid lubricants, sliding film, or bonded coatings and are usually available in spray form. They also can be mixed with water, alcohol, or other solvents. 

Additives 

For the enhancement of lubricant properties, organic or inorganic chemical compounds (aka additives) are used with the base oil. Such additives include anti-oxidants or rust inhibitors for oxidation and corrosion prevention. Anti-oxidants prevent oxygen from breaking down the lubricant and causing oxidation.Other common additives include demulsifiers or extreme pressure additives, increasing respectively the lubricants’ ability to repeal water or carry the load (for instance in gears and bearings), defoamers, to help in the breakup of foam bubbles, viscosity or pour point improvers (increasing the viscosity of the lubricant at high temperatures or decreasing their pour point temperature in cold temperatures) or film strengtheners, used to enhance the ability of a lubricant film to attach to the surface.

Greases & Pastes

Greases are mixes of oil, thickener (soap), and additional lubricants (such as Teflon). The mix of these components provides grease with a different texture, thickness, and viscosity.  Consistency is a defining attribute in the assessment of grease strength. It is greatly influenced by the viscosity of the base oil and the amount of thickener used. Selection of correct consistency is important in the lubricating application as soft greases can move away from the area of application while hard greases may not be able to properly move to reduce the effectiveness of lubrication. Greases generally exhibit similar lubricating properties as oils and they are used in applications where oils cannot be used or where the cooling attribute of the oil is not required. They provide excellent protection against wear and tear and provides excellent sealing against foreign particles. Often used with gears, bearing, spindles, chains, linkages, etc.

Pastes provide a similar working function as greases. However, they consist of a greater mix of solid lubricants resulting in their thick texture. The combined effect of base oil, thickeners (may or may not be included), and a solid lubricant such as PTFE protects against friction wear and tear. The addition of different solid lubricants makes the use of paste suitable in different types of applications.

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