In the precision sliding of machine tool guideways, the long-term operation of wind turbine bearings, and the high-temperature lubrication of aero-engines, silica is driving the technological upgrading of lubricating materials as a "microscopic friction regulator." This seemingly ordinary white powder, by optimizing the rheological properties and tribological performance of lubricants, enables mechanical operation to leap from "reducing wear" to "high efficiency and energy saving" — from extending equipment lifespan to reducing energy consumption, from adapting to normal temperature working conditions to breaking through extreme environments. The addition of silica endows lubricating materials with "intelligent adaptation" capabilities.

一、The "Friction Optimizer" of Lubricating Oils

The core mission of lubricating oils is to reduce friction coefficients and mechanical wear. The addition of silica constructs multiple lubrication mechanisms to achieve efficiency leap:

Molecular-level protection in boundary lubrication: In heavy-duty gear oils, silica nanoparticles will adsorb on metal surfaces, forming a physical protective film with a thickness of about 50nm. This film can withstand contact pressure of 1500MPa, reducing the friction coefficient from 0.15 to 0.08 at the gear meshing position and decreasing wear by 60%. After a steel rolling mill applied this technology, the oil change cycle of the gearbox was extended from 3 months to 6 months, and maintenance costs were reduced by 50%.

Wide-temperature adaptation of viscosity characteristics: Silica can improve the viscosity index of lubricating oils, enabling them to maintain stable lubrication performance in the temperature range of -30℃ to 150℃. In construction machinery in cold regions, this lubricating oil has moderate viscosity (<1000mPa·s) during low-temperature startup, ensuring smooth engine startup; it can also maintain sufficient oil film strength during high-temperature operation, suitable for generator sets in desert areas.

Self-cleaning ability of detergency and dispersion: The porous structure of silica can adsorb colloids and carbon deposits generated by lubricating oil oxidation, preventing them from depositing inside the engine. After a diesel engine used lubricating oil containing silica, the carbon deposit on the piston top was reduced by 70%, the risk of fuel injector blockage was reduced by 80%, and the engine power output retention rate was increased by 10%.

Silica in lubricating oils does not chemically react with base oils, but only constructs a "dynamic lubrication system" through physical effects. It neither affects other properties of the oil products nor can automatically adjust lubrication strategies under different working conditions, achieving the intelligent lubrication effect of "on-demand protection."

二、The "Long-term Guardian" of Lubricating Greases

Lubricating greases need to maintain stable performance in both static and dynamic states. The addition of silica achieves long-term reliability through three effects:

Dual breakthrough in high and low temperature performance: Adding silica to lithium-based lubricating greases can expand their operating temperature range from -20℃-120℃ to -40℃-180℃. In polar scientific research equipment, this lubricating grease can maintain good pumpability at -40℃, ensuring normal startup of machinery; in kiln transmission systems, it can maintain structural stability at 180℃ high temperature, avoiding excessive volatilization of base oil, and its service life is extended to twice that of ordinary lubricating greases.

Improvement of water resistance and sealing performance: In lubricating greases used in humid environments (such as hydropower stations and paper machines), the hydrophobic modified particles of silica can form a continuous sealing layer on metal surfaces, preventing moisture from invading bearings. After a water turbine bearing applied this, the water spray resistance of the lubricating grease was increased from grade 1 (severe emulsification) to grade 4 (basically no emulsification), and the bearing corrosion rate was reduced from 30% to below 5%.

Significant enhancement of extreme pressure performance: Silica and extreme pressure additives act synergistically, forming a pressure-resistant and wear-resistant layer on metal surfaces, increasing the maximum non-seizure load (PB value) of the lubricating grease from 600N to more than 900N. In the gear transmission of shield machines, this lubricating grease can withstand huge impact loads, avoiding tooth surface scuffing failure. After a subway tunnel project applied this, the equipment failure rate was reduced by 40%.

The failure of lubricating greases often leads to equipment shutdown and high maintenance costs. The addition of silica is like installing "performance insurance" for them, enabling them to play a stable role in harsh environments such as humidity, high temperature, and heavy load, and ensuring the continuous and efficient operation of industrial equipment.

三、The "Extreme Environment Adapter" of Special Lubricating Materials

In extreme environments such as vacuum, radiation, and strong chemical corrosion, the performance of special lubricating materials determines the reliability of high-end equipment. The addition of silica has achieved key breakthroughs:

Low volatility guarantee for vacuum lubrication: In the vacuum lubrication of spacecraft, silica can reduce the volatilization rate of lubricants, reducing the vacuum escape rate from 0.5%/h to below 0.05%/h. This lubricating grease is used in satellite attitude control bearings, which can work in space for a long time without polluting optical equipment. After a satellite applied this, it still maintained stable attitude control after 5 years of on-orbit operation.

Radiation resistance stability in radiation environment: In the lubrication of nuclear industry equipment, silica is compounded with fluorocarbon lubricating grease, which can enhance the radiation resistance of materials. After the cumulative radiation dose reaches 1000kGy, the dropping point change rate of the lubricating grease is still less than 10%, far better than 30% of traditional materials, providing guarantee for the long-term safe operation of nuclear power plants.

Compatible lubrication in chemical corrosion environment: In the sealing lubrication of chemical pumps, silica-modified perfluoropolyether lubricating grease can resist the erosion of strong acids and alkalis. After being immersed in 98% concentrated sulfuric acid for 30 days, the volume change rate is only 3%, and the friction coefficient remains stable. After a chemical plant applied this, the replacement cycle of the pump shaft seal was extended from 1 month to 6 months.

The requirements of extreme environments for lubricating materials are far beyond normal working conditions. The addition of silica is like injecting "extreme resistance genes" into these materials, enabling them to work stably under boundary conditions where conventional lubricants fail, supporting technological breakthroughs in aerospace, nuclear industry, high-end chemical industry and other fields.

 
Phenyl Silicone Rubber MY-3036-Mingyi Silicone