Lubrication Facts & Knowledge

A bicycle chain makes different sounds depending on how it's lubricated, and those sounds tell you about the oil's behavior. Wet lubes use sticky oils that cling to the chain in rain but attract dirt like a magnet on dry days, creating a black grinding paste....

The valves on brass instruments like trumpets and trombones need special lubricants that are completely odorless and tasteless, since musicians' breath constantly passes over these mechanisms. These valve oils must be thin enough to allow split-second movements for rapid musical passages, yet provide enough protection for metal parts that move thousands of times during a...

Your refrigerator's compressor uses special oil that must flow smoothly at temperatures as low as -40°C, far colder than any winter weather. This oil circulates with the refrigerant throughout the cooling system, so it needs to remain stable when mixed with chemicals that would dissolve regular motor oil. If...

An airplane's landing gear uses specialized grease that must survive extreme conditions from -40°C at cruising altitude to over 150°C during landing when brakes generate intense heat. This grease supports the entire weight of the aircraft—often hundreds of tons—concentrated on just a few wheels during touchdown at speeds exceeding 150 mph. Unlike...

The giant wind turbines generating renewable electricity use up to 80 gallons of lubricant in their gearboxes, located hundreds of feet in the air. Changing this oil is incredibly difficult and expensive, requiring specialized crews and equipment, so turbine oils must last 5-7 years without replacement. These oils face...

The machines that mix your breakfast cereal, bottle your drinks, and package your snacks use special food-grade lubricants that are technically safe to eat, just in case they accidentally contaminate the product. These lubricants are made from ingredients like white mineral oils or synthetic compounds that have passed rigorous safety testing, similar to what food additives go through. A conveyor...

Motor oil behaves like honey on a cold winter morning—it becomes thick and flows slowly, making it harder for your engine to start. On a hot summer day, the same oil thins out like water, which could reduce protection for engine parts. This is why most modern oils are "multi-grade,"...

In the vacuum of space, traditional liquid lubricants would instantly evaporate or freeze, so spacecraft and satellites use special solid lubricants like molybdenum disulfide or even gold plating on moving parts. The International Space Station's robotic arm joints use these exotic materials because there's no air to carry away heat, meaning friction can cause extreme temperature...

Ships, boats, and offshore platforms are now using biodegradable lubricants that break down naturally if spilled into the ocean, unlike traditional petroleum oils that can persist for years. These eco-friendly oils are often made from vegetable oils like rapeseed or sunflower, chemically modified to handle the demanding conditions of marine engines and...

Formula 1 racing engines operate with oil temperatures exceeding 150°C (302°F), nearly hot enough to boil water, compared to about 100°C in regular cars. At these extreme temperatures, conventional oils would break down within minutes, turning into sludge and destroying the engine. Racing oils use specially designed synthetic...