Ultrachem Synthetic Impregnating Oils
Powder Metal Bearings:
Impregnating oils are used in the Powder Metal Bearing industry where sintered bearings are vacuum impregnated for use in sealed-for-life powder metal bearings. The bearings are usually made from combinations of iron and graphite or bronze with some other metals utilized for various characteristics. As the name implies, these metals are combined and fed as a powder into a hydraulic press where they are punched out under great pressure. At this point they are still “green” and may be crushed by hand. The next process is the sintering process in a high oven at temperatures often approaching 1700°F or more. At these temperatures the metals begin to melt together, but still leave some pores throughout the bearing. Next a final “sizing” operation is done to make sure that the bearing has the correct inner dimension. Finally, the bearings may be impregnated under vacuum with the proper oil for the application. Impregnation is sometimes done under mild heat of~150°F.
How They Work:
As the shaft on a small sub-fractional hp electric motor starts to turn it creates heat. This heat draws the oil from the bearing and the oil provides a fluid film to prevent metal-to-metal contact and the associated wear. Then, when the motor is turned off, and the bearing cools down, the oil is drawn back into the bearing by capillary action.
In this way the motor bearings are lubricated and the unit can be sealed-for-life. In many cases there is also an oil reservoir consisting of a felt donut or wicking material that is also filled with oil to replenish the porous bearing as some oil is eventually drawn away from the bearing and not drawn back into the bearing upon cool-down.
Why Use PM Bearings:
PM bearings are definitely less expensive than roller or ball bearings. Cost may be as little as 10% of the ball bearings. They also offer a reduction in noise, because the individual balls and races are eliminated. The PM bearings can be engineered for porosity, hardness, and other factors important to their life.
Impregnating Oils:
Many users of powder metal bearings rely on Ultrachem synthetic impregnating oil for long life. Ultrachem pioneered the concept of plastic compatible synthetic impregnating oils for use with many of today’s plastics. Our oils are used worldwide in power tools, vacuum cleaners, fans of every description, blowers, garbage disposals, garage door openers, bilge pumps, RV pumps, aquarium pumps, food processors, can openers and the many dc motors found in your car that power the seat, the windows, the wipers, the heater/ac blower and more.
Advantages:
Ultrachem manufactures each impregnating oil for a specific application for long-life reliable use under a variety of conditions. As a result, the advantages offered by these premium quality synthetic lubricants are:
- Permanent lubrication or extremely long life.
- Widest possible useful temperature range.
- Outstanding oxidation stability with no deposits.
- Excellent viscosity temperature relationship.
- Low evaporation rate.
- Better lubricity, excellent EP qualities, and less wear than petroleum and silicone lubricants.
- Superior mechanical and thermal stability.
- Low unit cost. Each bearing holds only grams of oil.
- Uncompromising quality.
- Food grade products available.
The proven products outlined in the following information will assist you in upgrading your lubrication program. If appropriate, we can formulate a special product for your application. If your end-use requires USDA H-1incidental food contact, then you must use either our Omnilube® Non-Tox or other oil specially selected by our technical staff. If you have compatibility concerns of bearing lubricants with plastic seals, housings, fan blades or other engine parts, then the Omnilube® (PAO) Series should be tested.
For bearings operating at low to modest temperatures, where plastic compatibility is not a concern, we suggest our Chemlube® diester products. For bearings operating at modest to high temperatures, we suggest the thermal and oxidative stability of Syntroil® and Chemlube®, our polyol- ester products.
The following basic guidelines will help you decide which of our various products to evaluate:
Click to download Impregnating Oil PDF
*Viscosity for graphite containing compounds is the viscosity of the base oil.