Anyone who’s worked with machines knows that lubricants can be your best friend. They let you get the most out of your operations by keeping everything running smoothly. But there’s a flip side. If lubricants aren’t properly handled, not only will they be less effective, they could actually hinder performance.

Give your lubricants the care and respect they deserve. Here are a few tips for doing just that.

• Watch the thermometer. Wild temperature swings can wreak havoc on any chemical, if you let matters get out of hand. For lubricants, it’s a matter of keeping the product itself clean. How can temperatures contaminate your lubricants? It has more to do with the storage container itself. Major temperature fluctuations can cause your container to “breath” air in and out to equalize. Those inward breaths are the ones you should worry about, as they can suck in contaminants. Another temperature-related threat is chemical degradation that can occur with such products as rust inhibitors, which could lose crucial solubility when stored in extreme temperatures.
• Keep the air dry. In industrial settings, a humid environment is almost always detrimental to performance. That’s true for lubricants, as well. Some lubricants are petroleum-based and are naturally hygroscopic. As they try to reach equilibrium, they’ll absorb moisture and degrade the product through oxidation of the base stock.
• Check for purity. Because containers are used over and over, your lubricants are at risk of contamination before they even get to you. For example, a process known as “agglomeration” results in particles that bind and sink to the bottom. Often times, you’ll inadvertently mix those contaminants into the full batch as you put in additives or agitate the drum as you’re mixing it. Get assurance from your distributor that it uses only the cleanest containers.
• Store your lubricant inside. Of course, this might not always be feasible. But to better manage temperature and humidity, and to reduce the likelihood of particle contamination, consider working with a distributor that offers storage services.
• Label everything. Check and recheck that you got it right. Your ability to separate chemicals and protect the more sensitive ones is only as good as your labeling efforts. Make sure you’ve visibly marked every lubricant container, and include safety and storage information. You can also use labels to indicate which batches have been properly cleaned or flushed.

What Sorts of Lubricant Handling Services Does SolvChem Custom Packaging Division Offer?

We specialize in end-to-end services, and that’s good news for customers who care about lubricant quality. Our team members know all the best practices for maintaining clean chemicals. What’s more, SolvChem Custom Packaging Division offers warehousing and shipping services. As those two stages can be the riskiest for your chemical, it helps to have experts keep an eye on your lubricants and then move them to their final destination.

To learn more about proper lubricant handling, and to find out what we can do for you, contact SolvChem Custom Packaging Division today.