Varnish Elimination for Gear and Re-Circulating Bearing Oils
Polyalkylene glycol lubricants based upon EO/PO block co-polymers have been widely used as synthetic MWF, FR hydraulics, industrial FG gear lubes, brake fluids, automotive AC compressor and water based quench fluids for years. New OSP (oil soluble polyalkylene glycols) from BO/EO and BO/PO polymers represent a discontinuous innovation and a technology leap that is too important to ignore. Complete long term elimination of varnish and reducing subsequent bearing failures are now possible. Synergies occur with mineral oils and important improvements in gear oils, paper machine oils, circulating bearing oils are now feasible. Paper mills have some of the most difficult wet and oxidative environments for gear, oil lubricated bearings, and hydraulic systems. A case study detailing more than 2 years successful use without varnish formation at a re-cycle tissue mill is presented. Varnish leading to bearing failure is major cause and cost of lost production in continuous paper processes.