An extrusion or piston pump is usually used to supply oil or grease to mechanical parts of machinery to keep it lubricated. That is why these pumps are often referred to as oil and grease pumps.
While oil and grease are quite similar in many ways, they also vary enough so that they shouldn’t be used interchangeably. In this article, we look at the advantages of both oil and grease and what makes them different from each other.
Why Grease?
Grease is ideal for any stop-start mechanical parts. The presence of grease prevents a dry start. Parts also retain grease better than oil, which means less leakage.
When using grease, you also reduce the risk of contaminants as grease is a very good sealant, and it would be hard for particles or water to make it past the grease barrier.
Grease goes a long way and it can be a more economical choice so long as it meets your other needs well.
Why Oil?
One of the biggest advantages of oil over grease is that it has better cooling properties and is good for carrying away any unwanted heat. This may result in lower energy consumption.
Oil is often cleaner than grease because it carries any contaminants away and there are no thickeners.
The amount of oil you use is very easy to control through gauges, etc. Oil is also often seen as the more sustainable choice for the environment.
Oil is also said to be better for cold starts.
When To Use Oil And When To Use Grease?
There are no hard or fast rules when choosing between oil and grease. It is always a good idea to read the manufacturer guidelines for your machinery as they should always state whether oil or grease would be the preferable lubricant. Lubricant suppliers, as well as pump specialists, should also be able to offer you advice.
In most cases, oil is the better choice in situations where there are high temperatures combined with high speeds and high friction. Grease is usually the better choice for situations that involve moderate speeds and temperatures that are not very high.
Are you looking to purchase oil and grease pumps in Australia? Here at Airdraulics, we offer a wide range of Ingersol Rand/ ARO pumps. These pumps are top quality and trusted across many industries. Feel free to browse our site to see the available products or get in touch with us if you have any questions.
