Bearing lubricants or lubes ensure efficient operation of bearings in industrial machinery, automobile engines, power generators and alternators, mining equipments, turbines and office equipment. Some of the important properties of a bearing lube are kinematic viscosity, viscosity index, pour point and flash point.

Extreme temperatures and other harsh environments can reduce the useful life of the bearing. An improper lubricant for bearings can negatively affect your machinery and other systems. Therefore, for durable and smooth working of the system, lubrication for bearings is very important.

Some of the important parameters you must consider before purchasing a bearing lube are:

1. Rotating speed of the bearing
2. Loads acting on bearing: radial as well as axial
3. Operating temperature ranges for the bearing lubricants
4. Type of bearing such as an angular contact bearing or a tapered roller bearing

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy bearing lubricants from lube manufacturers

Once you have identified your requirements, look around for different bearing lubricants available in the market.

I recommend: Unique Technologies Associates offers various bearing lubes including ball bearing lubricants. Lubrication Technology, another reputable lube manufacturer, provides synthetic bearing grease that is suitable for high-speed applications in automotive, food processing and aerospace industries. For a high temperature bearing lubricant, opt for bearing lubes by T.S. Moly. You can also buy a wheel bearing lubricant from Lubriplate Lubricants, a reputable manufacturer of a variety of lubes. Miller Industrial Fluids supplies bearing lubricants for automotive, turbines, food plants and industrial gears.

Buy bearing lubricants from a distributor

You can buy a variety of bearing lubricants such as a skate bearing lubricant and a drive bearing lubricant from a distributor.

I recommend: Fepco is a reputable distributor of lubricant fluids such as bearing lubricants, engine lubricants, textile machinery lubricants and rubber bearing lubricants. Acculube is another distributor of bearing lubricants including turbine-bearing lubes.

Buy a bearing lube for specialty applications

For extreme operating conditions such as high temperature and extreme pressures, you need to use a specialty lubrication for bearings.

I recommend: Nye Lubricants, a reputable lube manufacturer offers lubricants suitable for sintered powder metallic bearings. Bostik is another lube manufacturer that provides anti-corrosive lubes that prevents rust, galling and galvanic corrosion in salt water, salt air and high-moisture environments. Exxon Mobil offers bearing lubes that provide high oxidation-resistance and protection against wear. KM Specialty Pumps & Systems supplies lubricants for high temperature applications in automotive engines and mining equipment.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Select water resistant bearing lubricants for under-water and marine applications.
• •  Consult an expert for high temperature and pressure applications as it affects the pour point and oxidation resistance of bearing lubricants.
• •  For dusty environments, use bearing seals to avoid contamination of bearing lubricants.