Lubrication Facts & Knowledge

Non-stick cooking sprays work the same way as industrial lubricants—by reducing friction between surfaces—which is why they can unstick squeaky hinges in a pinch. The oil droplets in cooking spray coat metal surfaces with a slippery layer just like WD-40 does, though cooking oils break down faster when exposed to air and aren't designed...

Artificial hip and knee replacements need lubrication just like mechanical parts, but instead of oil, they rely on your body's natural synovial fluid. Modern prosthetics use ultra-smooth materials like ceramic or highly polished metal that create 10 times less friction than ice sliding on ice, allowing the joint...

The tiny gears inside a mechanical watch use specialized oils that must stay in place for decades without dripping or drying out, even though the parts are smaller than a grain of rice. These watch oils are engineered to have just the right "stickiness" so they cling to microscopic pivot points through surface tension, rather than flowing away under gravity like normal oils would. A...

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,"...