Industrial Grinding Oils: Odd Questions With Truthful Answers
Industrial grinding oils help industrial machines grind and pulverize all kinds of materials. From metal bits to rocks, these machines need to smash and crush until nothing is too big and all slips into a bin or onto a conveyor belt waiting below. Yet, these machines cannot continue to do such a gritty, dirty, forceful job unless all of their grinding parts are properly lubricated. That is where grinding oils come in. However, you might have some curious questions about grinding oils. Here is a sample of some of the questions asked in the past, and their truthful answers.
Can You Use Vegetable Oil in Place of Grinding Oil?
Absolutely not. There are some industrial machines in production that may one day use corn oil, just as some cars use corn gas, but those are not yet ready. Vegetable oil would burn up too quickly and burn too hot to keep industrial cutting machines cool, not to mention the buildup of burnt oil gunk left behind that would need constant cleaning. Do NOT substitute vegetable oil in place of cutting fluids in your industrial machines, ever (no matter how desperate the situation is to get oil for the machines).
What about Motor Oil?
Motor oil seems safe enough, right? After all, you are using it in machines that have motors. However, motor oil is much too thick, and it is not being used in an engine, but on cutting surfaces. If you are in a super-tight pinch for cutting and grinding oil, plain water is recommended for most industrial cutters and grinders.
Does All Grinding Oil and Cutting Fluid Contain Oil?
This may surprise you, but no, not all grinding and cutting oils contain oil. In fact, some are mostly water, and a few others may be called "oil", but have absolutely no oil ingredients at all. Many of the "oils" used are entirely synthetic, too, which means that they are not even derived from petroleum in any way, shape, or form.
What about Grease?
Thicker grease, like the stuff you see on vehicle axles, is only used at the spinning or rotating joints of grinding and cutting machines. It is never used on the actual cutting or grinding gears or blades. If grease does drip onto the blades or gears, the machine should be stopped immediately so that the grease can be wiped off and removed to prevent jamming.