Industrial Oils
What is viscosity and why does it matter?
Viscosity is a fluid's resistance to flow. In industrial oil selection, oil film thickness, efficiency and equipment protection are directly related to viscosity.
Problem
If the oil is too thin, load carrying capacity and film strength may be insufficient. If it is too thick, energy loss, difficult start-up, overheating and low efficiency may occur.
Selection criteria
ISO VG is a common industrial viscosity classification, but actual performance also depends on operating temperature, ambient temperature and viscosity index.
Checklist
- Which ISO VG grade does the OEM recommend?
- What is the normal oil operating temperature?
- Does the system start in cold ambient conditions?
- Are load, pressure or shock levels high?
- Is there overheating, noise, foaming or slow response?
- Have operating conditions changed since the current oil was selected?
Technical support call
Viscosity should be reviewed together with additive system, oxidation stability, corrosion protection, foam control and equipment approvals.
Let us define the right product for your application
Share machine type, operating temperature, current oil and OEM recommendations; our technical team can help with the right product group and documents.