As a key consumable in the operation of the compressor, the importance of compressor lubricant is self-evident. However, in actual operation, we sometimes overlook the details of lubricant use. Since most manufacturers specify the brand when using lubricants, and the compressor itself has a certain stability, it is difficult to directly observe the problems caused by lubricants. Moreover, each manufacturer has its own set of methods for the use and maintenance of lubricants, which also leads to the emergence of various problems.

In the use of air compressor lubricants, most manufacturers will explicitly require the use of original or specified lubricants according to the characteristics and operation requirements of the equipment. This is done to ensure the safety and stability of equipment operation, because the original or specified lubricants are usually rigorously tested and verified to best match the operating conditions of the compressor.However, the prices of these original or specified lubricants are often relatively high, causing some air compressor users to look for alternatives in the market in order to reduce costs. Among these alternatives, although some are relatively cheap and of decent quality, many of them cannot be guaranteed in terms of quality. Some users have suffered huge losses due to the selection of mismatched or inferior lubricants, which have led to equipment failures and even serious accidents.

Of course, some users have chosen relatively good alternative oils, and the equipment has not run abnormally in a short period of time. But this does not mean that there is no problem at all with these oils, because some potential problems such as coking and wear are long-term accumulation processes and may be difficult to detect in the short term. Therefore, we cannot judge the quality of lubricants based solely on short-term operating conditions.There are also many professional lubricant brands on the market, and their quality and performance are also guaranteed. As long as the selection is reasonable and used appropriately, these lubricants can also be a good choice for air compressor users. But no matter which lubricant is chosen, users should respect the manufacturer’s suggestions and requirements to ensure that the selected oil matches the operating requirements of the equipment, thereby avoiding potential safety hazards.1. Types and selection of lubricants There are many types of lubricants, which are mainly divided into three categories: mineral oil, non-mineral oil and mixed oil. Different types of compressors usually choose suitable lubricants according to their operating characteristics and manufacturer requirements. Most compressors generally use 80-mesh lubricants, which have a certain degree of fineness and quality assurance.

In actual applications, compressor lubricants from different manufacturers also differ in color, such as pink, white (transparent or light yellow), light yellow and dark yellow. These color differences reflect not only the different ingredients of lubricants, but also the personalized needs of each manufacturer. For example, the lubricant used by Gardner Denver compressors is pink and transparent, while the lubricant used by Sullair compressors is yellow but a little darker (this is only the lubricant used by the model I have seen, and does not represent all models or other new models of lubricants). It can be seen that the color and requirements of the lubricants used by each compressor manufacturer will be more or less different. However, dark yellow compressor oil is more common. Transformer oil is No. 36, and piston compressor is No. 19. Its color is particularly dark, indicating that there are more impurities and a low mesh count.

When choosing lubricants, several main performance requirements that need to be paid attention to include: 1. High temperature stability: It can maintain stability at high temperatures, will not decompose or deteriorate, and ensure the safety and reliability of the machine when it runs at high speed; 2. Anti-oxidation performance: It is not easy to oxidize, maintain stable performance, and extend the life of the machine; 3. Anti-corrosion performance: It can fully cooperate with metal materials, will not cause corrosion and wear, and ensure the life of the machine; 4. Low temperature performance: It has good low temperature fluidity, and can effectively lubricate even in low temperature environments, reducing wear when the machine starts.2. Precautions for the use of lubricating oil The use of lubricating oil is mainly focused on the replacement of compressor oil. The oil change cycle of different compressors is different. Some are changed every few months, while others need to be changed more frequently due to oil leakage. Oil leakage is a common problem in compressors. Its causes are complex and difficult to locate quickly. Therefore, the existence of oil leakage brings certain difficulties to the maintenance of compressors.In the process of using lubricating oil, some manufacturers may replace unqualified lubricating oils due to profit-driven, which will have a serious impact on the performance of the compressor. Unqualified lubricating oils will not only reduce the energy consumption level of the equipment, but may also cause scratches or other damage inside the compressor, thereby affecting the normal operation of the compressor.

In addition, there are many lubricating oil manufacturers on the market, including some scientific research units and distributors. The quality of lubricating oils produced by these manufacturers is uneven. Although some are low-priced, the quality cannot be guaranteed. Some small compressor dealers will import some compressor oils whose quality can be slightly guaranteed and there will be no problems under normal circumstances, but the purchase price is much cheaper, so as to obtain more profits by low-in and high-out. Therefore, users should consider carefully when choosing lubricating oil to avoid buying unqualified products because of greed for cheapness. Cheap is OK, but not ridiculously cheap.3. Lubricant maintenance Lubricant, as an indispensable consumable material for the stable operation of the compressor, plays a vital role in the lubrication process. Especially for the heart of the compressor, the screw, the quality requirements for lubricants are particularly strict.

The precision and high requirements of the screw require that the selection and use of compressor oil must be fully guaranteed.Once the compressor uses unqualified lubricants, it is possible to damage the screw, which will lead to a series of serious consequences. Screw wear, scrapping, or damage caused by excessive gaps, carbon deposition, etc., will seriously affect the normal operation of the compressor. Therefore, we must pay enough attention to the maintenance of lubricants.During the maintenance of lubricants, we need to regularly check the condition of the lubricants, including indicators such as color, viscosity, and cleanliness. If the lubricant is found to be black in color, reduced in viscosity, and increased in impurities, it is necessary to replace it with a new lubricant in time. At the same time, it is also necessary to pay attention to the storage and replacement methods of the lubricant to avoid the introduction of impurities or pollution during storage and replacement.In addition, the use environment of the compressor also needs to be considered. If the compressor is in a high temperature, humid or dusty environment, the lubricating oil needs to be checked and replaced more frequently to ensure its stable and long-lasting performance.

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