Slides

Sliding parts present a unique challenge to lubricants. Unlike ball or roller bearings, which rotate at speeds high enough to create a fluid film that physically separates the ball from the raceway, the speeds and loads of slides, cams, detents, and gears do not allow them to reach a point where such a film can be created. Thus, there is a far greater potential for mating parts to come into physical contact and to create friction and wear. Synthetic lubricants can meet these challenges. By selecting the appropriate oils, gellants and additives, they can be designed not only to minimize friction, but to inhibit wear or corrosion, stay in place, damp noise, and control free motion – while meeting broad temperature requirements.