 |
An Overview of Inert Lubricants
Author: Stephanie Larkin  | Posted: 15-05-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 3 | Rating: (157)  (?) 
Inert lubricants have an enormous number of industrial and commercial uses, from oils used to keep heavy machinery running smoothly, to the wax that skiers use to decrease the friction between snow and their skis.
Chemical and Physical Properties of Inert Lubricants
Inert lubricants include three basic categories: oils, greases, and waxes. The main difference between each of the three types is their level of viscosity, with oils being the least viscous of the lubricants, and waxes being the most viscous.
The viscosity of inert lubricants is one important factor that determines how they are used in industry. This factor is actually relatively easy to control in the synthesis of inert lubricants, as the length of lubricant molecule chains determines their viscosity. The longer the chain, the more viscous the lubricant will be.
Most halocarbon oils are made up of molecules comprised of a single of repeating chemical motifs, with the viscosity being dependent on the length of the chain. This means that to increase the viscosity of a given inert lubricant, it is often simply a matter of synthesizing the molecule with extra repeats of the chemical motif that comprises its molecular ‘backbone’ structure.
All three types of lubricant tend to be immiscible with water, and as they are inert, they are also non-reactive in most situations. Depending on the exact nature of the lubricant, it may or may not be miscible in solutions of ketones, alcohols, mineral oils, or other organic solvents. This means it’s possible, by carefully choosing the structure of the inert lubricant molecule, to create an inert lubricant with just the right viscosity, which is miscible with whatever specific liquid chemicals are desired.
The property of being inert is of course the most desirable of the chemical properties of these oils, waxes, and greases: this is, in fact, why they are made. Inert lubricants are non-corrosive, non-flammable, have little toxicity, and provide good lubricity. Inert lubricants do not react to highly oxidative substances such as fluorine, acids, and oxygen, and remain stable at high temperatures. These properties make them highly useful for many industrial purposes.
Uses of Inert Lubricants
Inert lubricants are most often used to provide lubrication, but they can also be used as industrial solvents, non-flammable bath fluids (suitable for use at low as well as high temperatures), plasticizers for fluorinated products, metal-working fluid for work with metals such as tungsten, molybdenum, and tantalum, and as a safe, high-density and non-reactive fluid for laboratory tests. Inert lubricants are used in industries and processes as diverse as the pulp paper industry, where they are used in bleaching wood pulp, to the treatment of drinking water with fluorine and chlorine.
Oils: Inert oils are very heavily used in automotive industries, including the aeronautic, aviation, and marine industries in addition to traditional automotives. They may be used as engine oils, transmission fluid, gearbox fluid, brake fluids, and hydraulic fluids, or in fact in any piece of equipment or machinery that has moving parts that may be subject to high heat and friction. In other industries, inert oils may be used in steam and gas turbines, motors, air and gas compressors, and bearing and circulating systems. Again, any machine with moving parts is subject to increased wear and tear without the use of a lubricant, and inert lubricants are needed to reduce reactivity.
Greases: These are traditionally comprised of a jelly that is emulsified with mineral oil (which is itself an inert lubricant), to produce an inert lubricant with a much higher viscosity than that of oil. Greases are often more solid than liquid, and thus have an entirely different set of uses in comparison to many oils. While greases are often used for industrial purposes, to prevent the wear and tear caused by metal-to-metal contact in machinery and equipment, many types of inert greases are used in places such as laboratories, where chemically inert lubricants are particularly important for preventing reactions between lubricants and experimental substances.
Waxes: Inert waxes tend to be used as protective coatings or barriers, often designed to either keep moisture out, or to reduce friction between two moving parts (as in the case of skiers and their skis). Often they are used to protect a finished product from the oxidative effects of chlorine or oxygen, or simply to act as a water-barrier. In the metals industry, inert waxes are also often used as a friction-reducing lubricant.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/an-overview-of-inert-lubricants-414856.html
About the Author:Stephanie Larkin is a freelance writer who writes about issues and topics pertaining to the use of chemicals such as Inert Greases
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
Applications of Inert Oils, Greases and Waxes
By: Stephanie Larkin | 15/05/2008 | Alternative Medicine
Inert oils, greases, and waxes are preferred in many industrial situations because they are designed to have low reactivity in the presence of heat or another catalyst. These synthetic substances are generally inert because they are non-hydrocarbon based, and they are manufactured specifically to meet high standards of purity and inactivity.
An Overview of Halo Chemicals
By: Stephanie Larkin | 15/05/2008 | Alternative Medicine
Halochemicals are compounds that contain halogens, one of the group of elements that includes fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, astatine, and the as-yet undiscovered ununseptium (the existence of the latter element has been shown, but it has not yet been synthesized).
An Overview of Specialty Fluorochemicals
By: Stephanie Larkin | 15/05/2008 | Alternative Medicine
Fluorine has a number of chemical properties that make it particularly desirable for a wide variety of different industrial, commercial, and even medical applications. In particular, it is the most electronegative and the most highly reactive of all the elements, and readily forms compounds with all elements except for the three lightest noble gases. One particularly useful property of fluorine is that it forms strong and stable covalent bonds with carbon.
The Process of Producing Specialty Chemicals
By: Stephanie Larkin | 15/05/2008 | Alternative Medicine
Specialty chemicals have an enormous variety of uses; in fact, it's more accurate to say that in most cases, it's possible to produce a specialty chemical that suits whatever the needs of a particular process might be.
The Role of Fluorine Within the Pharmaceutical Industry
By: Stephanie Larkin | 10/06/2008 | Medicine
In general, most people associate the ninth element on the periodic table, fluorine, with dentistry. However, this is only one side of this versatile chemical. In its pure form, it is actually a poisonous gas, unfit for consumption by humans. Many derivatives of the element are harmless or even beneficial to the body. In fact, medicines containing fluorine are extremely common.
The Use of Fluorine Within Advanced Cultures
By: Stephanie Larkin | 10/06/2008 | Medicine
Many people working outside the field of chemistry do not realize that much of what we touch everyday contains a fluorine compound. Fluorine is a versatile element that has unique bonding properties and is also very stable. This makes it ideal for inclusion in a number of products. Industrialized and developing cultures use fluorides to create new products and maintain a better quality of life.
Top Applications of Fluorochemicals
By: Stephanie Larkin | 17/02/2008 | Medicine
Fluorochemicals are chemicals that contain the element fluorine. They have numerous different applications in a variety of industries. Fluorine is becoming more widely used due to its useful chemical properties. Fluorine is a powerful oxidizing agent.
Fluorinated Compounds and Pharmaceuticals-what's the Connection?
By: Craig Elliott | 17/02/2008 | Medicine
During the last several years, a great deal of pharmaceutical research has focused on the use of fluorinated compounds In fact, by around 1990, approximately 220 fluorinated pharmaceuticals were in use, comprising nearly 8% of the synthetic drug market. Since that time the use of fluorinated pharmaceuticals has increased rapidly.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the control center of a cell
By: louannprice | 11-07-2008
what is the control center of a cell
Jericho's defying garvity force.
By: SSA | 11-07-2008
why does water run uphill against gravity in jericho isreal?qt=t
If a soft drink contains high concentrations of ...
By: jbedwell | 08-07-2008
if a soft drink contains high concentrations of sugar and carbon dioxide, which of the following would be expected to happen? a) sugar may precipitate out. b) gas bubbles may form and produce foam. c) water may evaporate rapidly.
How would I describe the Milky Way Galaxy as seen ...
By: Herb | 06-07-2008
How would I describe the Milky Way Galaxy as seen here on Earth to a group of Freshmen in College?
Size of Tree Leaves by location
By: Rusty | 04-07-2008
My teacher assigned us a research project stating "trees leaves get smaller the further north you go and tree leaves get _____ the further south you go. I have been looking everywhere for the answer and I figure the leaves get big the further south you go. If you have the answer or someone where I can go to research the subject I would appreciate it.
Can God be proven through scientific calculations?
By: instaloans | 04-07-2008
Can someone prove God through science? What if someone prove God through science and through proper mathematical calculations?
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Alternative Medicine Articles
Herbal Cures - A Perfect Choice
By: Shannon Pollock | 20/07/2008
Today there are more and more people giving natural herbal cures a try. This is for a variety of reasons; negative side effects and costs are likely the two biggest factors.
Herbal Cures for Acne - Use It and Lose Zit
By: Shannon Pollock | 19/07/2008
An unbelievable amount of people suffer from acne. Almost 80% of teenagers under 18 are battling it and 50% once you hit adulthood.
Role of Fiber Foods in Maintaining Good Health
By: Nick Mutt | 19/07/2008
Fiber foods are essential for good health. Foods rich in fiber are green vegetables, salads, fruits, in bran of rice and husk of wheat, unrefined carbohydrates and complex starches.
Strains and Sprains – Prevention and Physical Therapy
By: Nick Mutt | 19/07/2008
Athletes commonly suffer from strains and sprains. So many times they are regarded as sports injuries. There should be some ways to prevent them from frequent occurrence.
Benefits of Sun Bath – Boon for Skin, Bones and Muscles
By: Nick Mutt | 19/07/2008
Sun bath is very important for good health. It has an antibacterial and antifungal property.
Benefits of Clay Pack
By: Nick Mutt | 19/07/2008
Clay pack is one of the popular and widely used naturopathic procedures used in healing several major and minor ailments.
Clay Pack – Method and Importance of Mud Pack
By: Nick Mutt | 19/07/2008
A clay pack is very useful in disorders like constipation, fever, boils, swelling, gastritis, intestinal ulcer, etc.
Natural Home Remedy for Common Cold
By: Nick Mutt | 19/07/2008
Inhalation of steam is an effective natural remedy for cold. It is also useful in all types of disorders of the respiratory system.
More from Stephanie Larkin
The Difference Between Local Anesthesia and Regional Anesthesia
By: Stephanie Larkin | 10/07/2008 | Medicine
Anesthesia is a relatively new development in the ancient practice of medicine. It was not until the last century that doctors harnessed inhalants and other chemicals in order to effectively reduce pain. For the most part, anesthetics are used in order to make intrusive procedures more comfortable for patients, but this can be achieved in a number of ways.
How Inhaled Anesthetics Work on the Body
By: Stephanie Larkin | 10/07/2008 | Medicine
The miracles of modern medicine allow doctors to fix problems in the human body that their predecessors couldn’t even diagnose. The rapidly growing field of medical technology continues to eradicate threats to human life at every turn, but one of the most important leaps forward in medicine has been anesthesia’s ability to keep patients comfortable during difficult procedures.
Everyday Products Which Contain Fluorochemicals
By: Stephanie Larkin | 10/07/2008 | Medicine
Most consumers pay very little attention to what is in their purchases, but those who do are aware of the many uses of fluorochemicals. These compounds have found their way into a variety of markets. In addition to being the key ingredients in many medicines, these chemicals are used to synthesize a number of other products.
The Use of Fluorine Within Advanced Cultures
By: Stephanie Larkin | 10/06/2008 | Medicine
Many people working outside the field of chemistry do not realize that much of what we touch everyday contains a fluorine compound. Fluorine is a versatile element that has unique bonding properties and is also very stable. This makes it ideal for inclusion in a number of products. Industrialized and developing cultures use fluorides to create new products and maintain a better quality of life.
The Role of Fluorine Within the Pharmaceutical Industry
By: Stephanie Larkin | 10/06/2008 | Medicine
In general, most people associate the ninth element on the periodic table, fluorine, with dentistry. However, this is only one side of this versatile chemical. In its pure form, it is actually a poisonous gas, unfit for consumption by humans. Many derivatives of the element are harmless or even beneficial to the body. In fact, medicines containing fluorine are extremely common.
The History of Anesthesia
By: Stephanie Larkin | 10/06/2008 | Medicine
Over the years there have been many inventions which have made our lives easier. Considering these inventions, perhaps none is as overlooked as anesthesia. Anesthesia is a catchall term for substances meant to block sensation. They are used in most cases to put patients to sleep for surgeries and other painful procedures.
The Process of Producing Specialty Chemicals
By: Stephanie Larkin | 15/05/2008 | Alternative Medicine
Specialty chemicals have an enormous variety of uses; in fact, it's more accurate to say that in most cases, it's possible to produce a specialty chemical that suits whatever the needs of a particular process might be.
Applications of Inert Oils, Greases and Waxes
By: Stephanie Larkin | 15/05/2008 | Alternative Medicine
Inert oils, greases, and waxes are preferred in many industrial situations because they are designed to have low reactivity in the presence of heat or another catalyst. These synthetic substances are generally inert because they are non-hydrocarbon based, and they are manufactured specifically to meet high standards of purity and inactivity.
|
|
Health 
