In the 1930s, engineers discovered that adding sulfur-phosphorus compounds to gear oils created a protective chemical film under extreme pressure—a breakthrough that revolutionized industrial transmissions. Before this, gear teeth in heavy machinery would weld together under loads exceeding 100,000 PSI. These "extreme pressure" (EP) additives don't just lubricate; they chemically react with metal surfaces at high temperatures to form sacrificial layers that prevent metal-to-metal contact.
Modern industrial gearboxes operate at contact pressures that would liquify basic mineral oil instantly. The chemistry has evolved dramatically: today's formulations must resist oxidation at operating temperatures above 90°C while maintaining that critical pressure resistance. When oil oxidizes, it forms sludge and acids that corrode precision components and reduce efficiency.
Products like HEXOL TIN 100 incorporate these specialized additives to deliver both oxidation resistance and high-pressure protection in demanding industrial transmission applications.
