Industrial synthetic oils can solve problems that regular oils can’t.

Although mineral lubricants can work in many applications industrial synthetic oils can solve problems that these oils were never designed to cope with. Whenever there’s a problem with a piece of industrial equipment that touches on lubrication, the smart money inevitably believes that industrial synthetic oils can solve problems. But what are the facts? What can reasonably be expected of the performance of synthetic industrial oils?


Well let’s look at some of the common problems associated with lubrication and why there are so many people that believe industrial synthetic oils can solve problems when lubrication is required under extreme conditions.

Limitations of mineral oils where industrial synthetic oils can solve problems.

Due to environmental factors, such as reduced airflow and higher ambient temperatures created by equipment operating in indoors, equipment often suffers from reduced efficiency, increased carbon build-up, sludge and varnish build-up on internal component surfaces.

Industrial synthetic oils can solve problems because they are engineered to be more stable at higher temperatures, and therefore reduce the oil volatility and oxidation associated with mineral oils. This equates to extended oil change intervals and significant cost savings in labour, old oil disposal, and more frequent oil and filter replacement. With reduced down-time productivity and equipment utilisation also improves.

On the other end of the scale industrial synthetic oils can solve problems that mineral oils can never achieve. Cold-temperature operation has a set of problems that can also be difficult to overcome, using mineral oils.
The operating range of mineral oil is relatively narrow, so in order to operate efficiently at higher operating temperatures a higher viscosity is required. Unfortunately at low temperatures the higher viscosity results in high start-torques and subsequent energy usage. The higher viscosity can also lead to increased mechanical wear (Due to cold-scuffing) as well as more frequent failure of components such as motor coupler.

Synthetic industrial oils are engineered for superior thermal stability and as a result, they contain none of the impurities and paraffinic compounds which thicken in cold temperatures causing reduced fluidity and increased friction. Because they remain fluid at extremely low temperatures industrial synthetic oils can solve problems by providing lubrication and component protection far beyond the capability of any conventional lubricant.

Industrial synthetic oils can solve problems through careful engineering.

With an extended operating temperature range, fewer grades of synthetic industrial oils may be required when compared to conventional oils. This cuts down on inventory and reduces the risk of incorrect lubricant being used.

Furthermore industrial synthetic oils can solve problems because they are engineered with low friction and high load properties that would normally be difficult to obtain without modifiers. These properties result in higher operating efficiencies, less energy consumption and lower operating temperatures.

Industrial synthetic oils can solve problems where different viscosities are required as they are available in several grades, blends and viscosities. They are also blended for various applications from Skydrol for aerospace to biodegradable hydraulic oil used in agricultural equipment. The one thing they all have in common is that they’re fully engineered to offer stable lubrication under a wide range of temperatures and high loads, as required by modern day industry and mining.

It’s also evident that with the degradation of the oil comes increased wear rates, which reduces equipment life and ultimately impacts on operating costs.

Because of fewer oil changes, industrial synthetic oils can solve problems relating to pollution and the impact on the environment, with less toxic material having to be disposed of.

For more specific information on how industrial synthetic oils can solve problems scroll through the posts, or go to our home page to review Habot Oil’s testimonials and full specifications.