Lubrication Facts & Knowledge

Some bronze bearings are like metallic sponges filled with oil. During manufacturing, porous bronze is vacuum-soaked in lubricant, which slowly seeps out during use over many...

Silicone-based lubricants work completely differently from petroleum oils because they're made from silicon and oxygen rather than carbon and hydrogen. They remain slippery across an enormous temperature range from -40°F to over 400°F, making them ideal for everything from car...

Scientists are developing new lubricants inspired by bacterial biofilms, the slippery layers bacteria create on surfaces. These bio-inspired oils mimic how bacteria reduce friction in nature, potentially creating more sustainable...

Camera lenses use special low-outgassing lubricants that won't create fog on glass elements. The lubricant must work silently for autofocus motors and remain stable across temperature changes from cold...

Many motorcycles use the same oil for both the engine and clutch, creating a unique challenge. Unlike car engine oils that aim to minimize friction everywhere, motorcycle oils must lubricate engine parts while still...

Your car's sunroof slides along metal tracks coated with a special white lithium grease that must withstand huge temperature swings, from freezing winters to scorching summer heat when the roof can reach 160°F. If this grease dries out or gets contaminated with dirt, the sunroof can...

Modern vending machines contain dozens of moving parts that require specialized lubrication to operate smoothly in varying temperatures. The spiral coils that dispense snacks use grease that must remain effective whether the machine sits in a hot desert parking...

Commercial bakery mixers that knead pizza dough and bread require food-grade lubricants in their gears because regular oil would contaminate the food if it leaked. These special lubricants are made from ingredients like white mineral oil or synthetic bases that are...

The thermal paste between a computer processor and its cooler isn't just for heat transfer—it also acts as a microscopic gap-filler. Over 3-5 years, the paste can dry out and crack, reducing cooling efficiency...

Historic lighthouse lenses weighing several tons rotated smoothly on circular troughs filled with mercury or later liquid lubricants. The massive Fresnel lenses floated on this ultra-low-friction surface, allowing a single person to push them by hand despite...