Alexei Volkov
Plastic gears require lubrication to reduce friction and wear and increase component life. The type of lubricant used is important as it can affect the performance and longevity of the plastic gears. Some lubricants are not suitable for plastic gears, such as those with solid additives like graphite or molybdenum disulfide (moly), which can penetrate and weaken plastic components. High-viscosity oils and greases with an NLGI of higher than 1 are also not recommended for plastic gears as they are more likely to penetrate and degrade plastic. Instead, mineral-oil-based lubricants are a good option for plastic gears as they are compatible with most plastic materials and offer excellent performance. Synthetic lubricants, such as hydrocarbon (PAO) types, are also compatible with most plastics and can provide long-term lubrication at a wide range of temperatures. Silicone-based lubricants are safe for all plastics and are recommended by some manufacturers. It is important to consider the specific type of plastic and its chemical makeup when choosing a lubricant to ensure compatibility and avoid negative effects such as stress cracking and discolouration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic components require lubrication | Yes |
| Plastic components require special lubricants | No |
| Lubricants for plastic gears | Silicone-based, mineral-oil-based, synthetic |
| Plastic gears are made of | Nylon |
| Examples of lubricants for plastic gears | Super Lube, Lubriplate, Mobil Unirex EP1 grease, Lucas Red & Tacky |
| Additives in lubricants | Solid additives such as graphite or molybdenum disulfide (moly) should be avoided |
| Viscosity | High-viscosity oils are less likely to penetrate and degrade plastic |
| NGLI grade | 1 or 0 to reduce friction and grease-induced noise |
| Aging resistance | Synthetic lubricants have a high aging resistance |
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What You'll Learn
Silicone-based grease is safe for all plastics
Plastic gears require lubrication to reduce friction and wear and increase component life. Silicone-based grease is safe for all plastics and is an excellent choice for lubricating plastic gears. It is inert towards plastics, meaning it does not react with or weaken the plastic components. Instead, it increases their lifespan and improves their performance.
Silicone grease is a versatile solution with a low coefficient of friction. Its slipperiness is due to the wide bond angles between silicone and oxygen. This property is particularly evident when there is friction between elastomeric surfaces, such as rubber seals sliding on plastics. Silicone-based lubricants are compatible with most rubber and plastic compounds, making them ideal for mixed couplings like rubber-plastic or metal-plastic.
The compatibility of a lubricant with a specific plastic is crucial. Incompatible lubricants can cause stress cracking and failure of the plastic part, as well as discolouration and a loss of structural integrity. Silicone-based lubricants, such as PFAE and most synthetic hydrocarbons (SHC or PAO), work well with plastics. They have high ageing resistance and can provide long-term lubrication over a wide temperature range.
Super Lube® Silicone Lubricating Grease with Syncolon® (PTFE) is an example of a silicone-based grease that can be used on plastic gears. It is dielectric, food-grade, and has a wide operating temperature range of -40°F to 500°F (-40°C to 260°C). It also offers excellent water protection and acts as a moisture barrier.
While silicone grease is generally safe for plastics, it is important to note that lower-quality silicone lubricants may present the possibility of outgassing in electrical automotive applications, potentially leading to switch failure. Therefore, it is essential to choose a suitable silicone grease for the specific plastic application and verify its compatibility with the plastic under anticipated loads, speeds, and environments.
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Mineral-oil-based lubricants are good for general plastic applications
Plastic gears, just like metal parts, require lubrication to reduce friction and wear and increase component life. Mineral-oil-based lubricants are good candidates for general plastic applications because they are compatible with most plastic materials and offer excellent performance for their price. They do not attack most plastics, which means that they do not cause stress cracking and failure of the part.
Silicone-based lubricants, such as PFAE, and most synthetic hydrocarbons (SHC or PAO) are also compatible with plastics. However, lubricants based on esters or polyglycols generally are not, although there are exceptions depending on the type of plastic. Solid additives, such as graphite or molybdenum disulfide (moly), should be avoided when dealing with plastic gears and bearings as they can penetrate and weaken plastic components. PTFE solid additives, on the other hand, can be useful in certain cases, such as lowering startup friction or providing dry lubrication.
As machines move to higher operating speeds, higher temperatures, and longer operations, companies prefer synthetic lubricants, such as hydrocarbon (PAO) types, for plastic bearings and gears. PAO's high aging resistance is compatible with most plastics and can provide long-term lubrication at temperatures from −60 to 320°F.
Super Lube® Silicone Lubricating Grease is a dielectric, food-grade lubricant that can be used on plastic gears and is compatible with the majority of rubber and plastic compounds.
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Avoid petroleum-based grease
It is important to avoid petroleum-based grease on plastic gears. While plastic gears are often used as an alternative to metal, they still require lubrication to reduce friction and wear. However, the chemistry of plastics and most lubricants can be problematic.
Petroleum-based lubricants will damage plastic gears. This includes many greases, oils, and vaselines. This is because the plastic will react with the petroleum, causing the gear to deteriorate prematurely. This can cause pits or cracks on the gear's surface over time. Plastic gears are often made of nylon, which is resistant to mineral oil, but this does not mean that any petroleum-based grease is safe to use.
The wrong lubricant can cause stress cracking and failure of the gear. The most important criterion when choosing a lubricant is that it is compatible with the specific plastic. Silicone-based lubricants, such as PFAE and most synthetic hydrocarbons (SHC or PAO), are safe to use on all plastics. They are compatible with most plastics and can provide long-term lubrication at a wide range of temperatures.
It is also important to consider the additives in the lubricant. Solid additives such as graphite or molybdenum disulfide can penetrate and weaken plastic components, so they should be avoided. PTFE solid additives, on the other hand, can be useful in lowering startup friction and providing dry lubrication.
In summary, it is important to avoid petroleum-based grease on plastic gears as it can cause damage and deterioration. Instead, opt for a silicone-based lubricant that is compatible with the specific plastic and does not contain solid additives like graphite or molybdenum disulfide.
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Grease with an NLGI of 1 or 0 reduces friction and grease-induced noise
Plastic gears require lubrication to reduce friction and increase component life. The most important criterion when choosing a lubricant for plastic parts is compatibility with the specific plastic. Incompatible lubricants can cause stress cracking and failure of the part. Silicone-based lubricants, such as PFAE, most synthetic hydrocarbons (SHC or PAO), and mineral oils work well with plastics. Lubricants based on esters or polyglycols are generally not suitable, although there are exceptions depending on the type of plastic.
Mineral-oil-based lubricants are good candidates for lubricating plastics because they don't attack most plastic materials and offer excellent performance for the price in general plastic applications. Greases with an NLGI of 1 or 0 reduce friction and grease-induced noise (grease slap). NLGI is a measure of how hard the grease is, with 0 to 1 indicating the grease is fluid or semi-fluid.
High-viscosity oils, generally those with viscosities rated at ISO VG 100 or higher, are less likely to penetrate and degrade plastic. Therefore, greases with a lower NLGI grade are preferable for plastic gears. Long-term plastic applications do best with synthetic lubricants, which have a high aging resistance. Synthetic lubricants, such as hydrocarbon (PAO) types, are preferred for plastic bearings and gears in machines with higher operating speeds, temperatures, and longer operations. PAO's high aging resistance is compatible with most plastics and can provide long-term lubrication at temperatures from −60 to 320°F.
Additives can also affect the compatibility of a lubricant with plastic. Solid additives such as graphite or molybdenum disulfide (moly) can penetrate and weaken plastic components, so they should be avoided. PTFE solid additives can be useful for lowering startup friction or providing dry lubrication. Extreme pressure (EP) additives used in metal parts lubricants are not recommended for plastics. Large amounts of corrosion protection and metal deactivator additives used with metal are also unnecessary for plastics.
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Plastic gears need lubrication to reduce friction and increase component life
The first step in choosing a lubricant for plastic gears is to understand the chemical makeup of the plastic. Not all plastics are made the same, and some may have specific lubrication requirements. Some plastics may even create their own lubrication when under stress or pressure due to their chemical and molecular makeup. It is important to verify the compatibility of the lubricant with the plastic under various loads, speeds, and environments. Incompatible lubricants can cause stress cracking and failure of the part.
Silicone-based lubricants are generally safe for use on plastic gears. They are compatible with most plastics and have high aging resistance. Synthetic lubricants, such as hydrocarbon (PAO) types, are also suitable for plastic gears and bearings. These lubricants can provide long-term lubrication at temperatures ranging from −60 to 320°F. Mineral-oil-based lubricants are another option for plastic gears, as they do not attack most plastic materials and offer good performance. However, at higher operating speeds, temperatures, and longer operations, synthetic lubricants may be preferred.
It is important to avoid certain additives in lubricants for plastic gears. Solid additives such as graphite or molybdenum disulfide (moly) can penetrate and weaken plastic components. Extreme pressure (EP) additives used in metal lubrication are not recommended for plastics. High-viscosity oils should also be avoided as they are more likely to penetrate and degrade plastics. Instead, greases with an NLGI of 1 or 0 are better suited for plastic gears as they reduce friction and grease-induced noise.
Overall, the choice of lubricant for plastic gears depends on the specific plastic and the operating conditions. It is important to consult the manufacturer's recommendations and verify the compatibility of the lubricant with the plastic to ensure optimal performance and longevity of the components.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic gears need grease to reduce friction and wear and increase component life.
The type of grease used depends on the plastic gears' chemical makeup. It is important to use the grease recommended by the manufacturer. Silicone-based grease is generally safe for all plastics. Mineral oil-based grease is also compatible with most plastic materials.
Any petroleum-based grease is potentially bad for plastic gears. Solid additives, such as graphite or molybdenum disulfide, should be avoided as they can penetrate and weaken plastic components.
Synthetic lubricants, such as hydrocarbon (PAO) types, are preferred for high-temperature applications as they have high ageing resistance and can provide long-term lubrication at temperatures from −60 to 320°F.
Mineral-oil-based lubricants are good candidates for lubricating plastics because they don't attack most plastic materials and offer excellent performance for the price.
