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Choosing the Right Lubricant for your Gears

Spur gears are the simplest form of gear. These gears were the original form created when humans first started using gears. A spur gear has straight edges that are all parallel to the center of the gear. Spur gears are ideal for clocks, basic rotating

As with all kinds of gears, for a spur gear to work properly, it must be lubricated. Lubricating gears is not difficult, but it is important to apply the right amount and type of lubrication to avoid complications and ruining the gear or other components in the machine. Use this simple guide to gear lubricants to avoid trouble with your gears:

Temperature: The temperature of the area around the gears is an essential consideration in lubricant choice. Choose a lubricant that has a pour point that is 9° F lower than the temperature of the room where the gears are used. It is also important to make sure that your lubricant will not melt on the high side of the temperature range that can occur due to the friction of the gears and vicinity to heat-producing components.

Viscosity: The viscosity of the lubricant can determine how quietly the gear runs, how much friction the gears receive, and how long the lubricant can last. The viscosity should be runny enough to flow in cold temperatures, but not so runny that it flows away from the gears altogether.

Speed: The Industrial Gear Lubrication Standard has a rule for the type of lubricant used with certain kinds of gears. In general, the pitch line specification is the determining factor in the kind of lubricant used. The pitch line velocity determines the speed of the gear. High gear speeds and low contact points call for high velocity lubricants. Use low velocity lubricants for lower gear speeds and longer contact points.