A Guide to Lubricants for Plastic Parts and Gears

Understanding the Importance of Lubrication for Plastic Gears

Plastic is commonly used for various types of parts and gears, in part because it's such a versatile material. Not only do they tend to be far cheaper than their metal counterparts, but they're a lot easier to make and work with, too. They're lighter, they operate more quietly, and most critically, they do not rust. While metal may be more durable, it's hard to ignore advantages like these — particularly in projects with already tight tolerances.

Of course, plastic parts and gears are not perfect. They can experience issues like heat generation, increased friction, accelerated erosion, and more. These are just a few of the issues that lubrication is designed to prevent, helping to make sure these plastic gears continue to function at peak efficiency for as long as possible.

Choosing the Right Lubricant for Plastic Parts

When choosing the right lubricant for plastic gears, there are three main qualities you'll want to consider.

Chemistry of Lubricants

A lubricant's chemistry will determine how compatible it is with various plastic materials. If you're dealing with plastic, for example, you typically cannot use a lubricant that is based on silicone, SHC, PAO, PFAE, or mineral oils.

Likewise, any additives that have been used might cause a poor reaction between the lubricant and the plastic material.

Determining the Appropriate Viscosity

Another factor that you'll need to carefully examine has to do with a lubricant's viscosity. Note that lubricants with high viscosity are less likely to negatively impact plastic through penetration, cracking, or other issues. Having said that, lighter loads will likely require a lubricant with lower viscosity to help prevent performance-related problems like drag.

Evaluating Aging Resistance

You want plastic parts and gears to last as long as possible, however, lubricants become more likely to harm plastic parts as the parts themselves age. Because of this, synthetic lubricants typically have a high aging resistance. They tend to be the best choice for long-term applications.

The Role of Lubricants in Plastic Gear Applications

When two sets of gear teeth come into contact with one another, several things happen. First, friction is naturally created. This can lead to significant heat generation. Without lubrication, this will quickly lead to the wearing down of the surface material. Over long periods of time, this will almost always lead to component failure.

Issues that lubricants are designed to prevent in plastic gear applications include things like wear, abrasion, and noise.

When plastic gears are properly lubricated, they last longer. This helps keep the equipment running at peak efficiency at all times. In the short term, this helps to create immediate cost savings because a business isn't constantly paying to maintain faulty equipment.

Over the long term, essential production equipment is far more efficient. It's able to produce more in the same amount of time, thus decreasing its own total cost of ownership and increasing revenue as well.

Selecting Lubricants Based on Chemical Compatibility

Naturally, the biggest thing to consider when choosing the right lubricant for plastic gears has to do with whether it is compatible in the first place.

When contact between the lubricant and the component is made, it should not cause issues like premature deterioration, cracking, pitting, and more. Remember that you don't just have to think about the base of the lubricant — you also need to check compatibility with any additives that are present as well.

In a larger sense, don't forget that most lubricants that are petroleum-based will end up harming plastic parts and gears and should be avoided.

Ensuring Thermal Stability for Plastic Gear Lubrication

Another critical factor to consider when selecting the right lubricant for plastic gears comes down to its thermal stability. Depending on the equipment that you're working with and the ultimate application, you should consider what happens in both extremely high and extremely low temperatures.

When it gets cold (as it might during outdoor operations in certain parts of the country, for example), lubricants may experience increased viscosity and lose their ability to form a protective film. When exposed to extremely high temperatures, some lubricants may experience changes that are so severe that they actually start leaking out of the equipment.

Because of this, you need to consider both possibilities to make the appropriate selection based on your needs.

The Significance of Lubricity in Plastic Gear Maintenance

Lubricity is an essential part of plastic gear maintenance because it helps make sure that components will stand up to both the operating conditions you expect and the ones you don't.

As equipment continues to age, it doesn't function as efficiently as it once did. Performance begins to suffer, and the machine has to work a bit harder to achieve the same results. This leads to premature wear-and-tear on components which, without a proper preventative maintenance program, can lead to frustrating (and expensive) periods of unplanned downtime.

Will a carefully selected lubricant with excellent lubricity prevent this from happening entirely? No, as there are other elements that must be addressed. But thanks to the way good lubricity translates to low friction even in high-stress environments, lubrication can help those plastic parts, gears, and other components hang on as long as possible.

At Illinois Pulley & Gear, we value honesty, trust, integrity, and hard work above all else. Whether you need help choosing the right lubricant for plastic gears or you need a completely custom timing pulley designed and developed from the ground up, we have the experience and the passion necessary to make sure that your needs are met. All our products are made to order right here in the United States.

If you'd like to find out more information about the nature of lubricants for plastic parts and gears, or if you'd just like to discuss your organization's own equipment-related needs with a team of professionals, please don't hesitate to contact Illinois Pulley & Gear today.