Lubricating gears with synthetic OiLs

wind gearbOx technOLOgy is developing at a fast pace, not least due to operators demanding ever more power and efficiency. Experience has shown that the lubricant used is a crucial factor in meeting the wish for ever-increasing performance. Besides strictly technical requirements, aspects of economy and ecology are receiving more and more attention in lubricant selection. The technical requirements to be met by a lubricant are defined either by the gear manufacturer, by pertinent standards, or the operating conditions. Among the “classic” requirements are a specific nominal viscosity, viscosity index, service temperature range, and minimum scuffing load capacity, as well as compatibility with the elastomers that are used for radial seals. In heavily loaded spur gears, sufficient micropitting resistance and good antiwear characteristics of the gear oil used are today also considered important. What machine operators basically expect from a special lubricant is cost reduction. This is attained by long oil life, simple oil change, wear-free or near-wear-free operation, and high efficiency in all lube points. Consequently, these are the factors that are foremost taken into account for the development of new gear oils by Klüber Lubrication.