Just as parts of your car and other appliances need to be lubricated in order to perform properly, so does your air compressor. But how can you tell what kind of oil is suitable for your air compressor, particularly a commercial screw compressor? To understand this, let’s first take a look at the role of air compressor oil.
Air compressor oil is a lubricant that helps to reduce the early wear and tear of air compressors. It can either be synthetic or natural and varies in characteristics like makeup and viscosity. It is important to note that air compressor oil is different from motor oil. For one, the latter contains detergent and much more carbon and sulfur.
Apart from lubrication, the benefits of using air compressor oil are many:
1. Absorbs heat
The oil keeps the air compressor at a cooler temperature by soaking in the heat that is emitted.
2. Resisting oxidation
The additives present in air compressor oil help keep the oxidation and acid formation processes at bay.
3. Improves longevity
The additives in air compressor oil also play a role in lengthening its shelf life, keeping the components of the machine protected when in standby mode, and increasing the compatibility of the oil with various conditions.
4. Stands up to the cold
Air compressor oil remains viscous even in cool temperatures, unlike many other lubricants.
The two main types of air compressor oil are standard and synthetic
- The standard type of air compressor oil contains a mineral oil base. This makes it cheaper than synthetic and is advisable for light or medium-duty and those who need not use their compressors continuously.
- On the other hand, synthetic air compressor oil contains a heavily processed and refined synthetic base. As a professional who runs an air compressor more than thrice a week, this is a suitable option for you. What’s more, synthetic oil keeps the air compressor functioning smoothly and with little to no noise. It also does a good job of preventing it from overheating.
For commercial screw compressors, it is best to use synthetic oil. These do not contain additives or sulfur that can often produce an unwanted buildup on the valves. They are also consumed at a slower rate than the standard kind, help to prolong the life span of the compressor, and stay cooler during operations. What’s more, they create fewer deposits of sludge and carbon that can adversely affect the performance of the machine, and produce air discharge at lower temperatures than standard oil. Synthetic oil also makes for safer operating conditions as its ignition temperatures are much higher than standard oil.
Suffice to say, synthetic oil is the best choice to keep your commercial screw compressor performing optimally.
ELGi Air Lube Oil provides an effective solution to suit various applications and work environments. You can choose this carefully formulated oil as a reliable way to meet your needs in different operating conditions.
VEMC is an authorized dealer of Elgi air compressors and provides end-to-end solutions for all your industrial energy requirements. Guided by more than 72 years of industry expertise, we aim to offer you specialized support in this space. VEMC is ISO 9001:2015 certified and a pioneer in the field of electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services. Please feel free to contact us at +91 98199 07445, and we will be happy to assist you.