Adhesive lubricants – find manufacturers and suppliers

Adhesive lubricants are lubricants that have been specially developed to adhere particularly well to surfaces and ensure long-lasting lubrication, even under extreme conditions such as high loads, vibrations, splash water or high temperatures.

This property makes them ideal for open gears, chains, wire ropes and other mechanical components that are exposed to strong environmental influences.

Below you will find the properties and types of adhesive lubricants, an overview of their areas of application, their advantages, important information for their selection, application tips as well as environmental and occupational safety aspects:

Properties of adhesive lubricants:

Adhesive lubricants also protect the lubricated components against corrosion caused by moisture, salty environments or other aggressive substances.
The special composition prevents the lubricant from spinning off or dripping, even at high speeds or under vibration.
They provide long-lasting lubrication and reduce the need for frequent relubrication. Adhesive lubricants are often water-repellent, allowing them to be used in damp or wet environments.
They can withstand high mechanical loads without the lubricating film breaking or failing.

Types of adhesive lubricants:

1. Chain lubricants:
   These lubricants are specifically designed to meet the requirements of chains, providing good lubrication and adhesion to minimize abrasion and extend chain life.
2. Gear lubricants:
   For open or hard-to-reach gears that require a tough and durable lubricating film to ensure smooth operation.
3. Wire rope lubricants:
   These lubricants penetrate deep into the rope structure and protect the wires from wear, corrosion and breakage.
4. Grease-based adhesive lubricants:
   These are more viscous and are particularly suitable for low-speed, high-load applications where the lubricant needs to stay in place.
5. Sprayable adhesive lubricants:
   Are often used to apply lubricants to hard-to-reach areas, for example in vehicle maintenance or machinery.

Areas of application for adhesive lubricants:

1. Chain drives:
Particularly in industrial plants, agricultural machinery or bicycles, as chains are often exposed to heavy loads and the effects of the weather.

2. Open gears:
For open gears or drives that have no protection against dust, moisture or dirt. Adhesive lubricants ensure that the lubricating film does not break off.

3. Wire ropes:
For the lubrication of wire ropes, especially in hoists, cranes or ropeways, as they are exposed to strong tension and often adverse weather conditions.

4. Guides and slideways:
In machines that run under harsh environmental conditions, such as in mining or construction.

5. Rails and switches:
Here, adhesive lubricants ensure smooth movement and prevent dirt or dust from sticking.

6. Agricultural and construction machinery:
In applications that are exposed to extreme conditions such as dust, mud, water or high loads.

Advantages of adhesive lubricants:

• As adhesive lubricants adhere longer to the lubricated areas, machines require less frequent maintenance. This saves both time and money.
• They offer protection against dirt, dust, water and aggressive chemicals that can affect the service life of components.
• By reducing friction and wear, adhesive lubricants contribute to the improved efficiency and reliability of machines.
• As they are less likely to be thrown off or washed away, they need to be relubricated less often, which reduces downtime.

Important tips for the selection of adhesive lubricants:

• The lubricant should have a high tackiness to stick to the lubrication point, even during vibrations or fast movements.
• Depending on the application, the adhesive lubricant should remain stable over a wide temperature range without evaporating or losing its consistency.
• Effective corrosion protection is essential for components that are exposed to moisture. Look out for additives that provide this.
• If the adhesive lubricant is used in wet or damp environments, it should be water-repellent.
• The adhesive lubricant must be compatible with the materials to be lubricated, especially plastics, rubber or sensitive metals.

Application tips for adhesive lubricants:

• Surfaces should be clean and dry before application to allow the lubricant to take full effect.
• It is important to apply the lubricant evenly to ensure uniform lubrication and to ensure that all relevant surfaces are covered.
• Depending on the operating environment and load, the lubricant should be checked regularly and relubricated if necessary to maintain performance.
• Adhesive lubricants should be stored in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions to ensure their effectiveness and shelf life.

Environmental and occupational safety aspects of adhesive lubricants:

In areas that require environmentally friendly solutions, biodegradable adhesive lubricants should be preferred to minimize environmental impact.
Many adhesive lubricants contain solvents or chemical additives that can emit vapors during application. Therefore, use adhesive lubricants in well-ventilated areas and wear personal protective equipment (e.g. gloves and safety goggles) if necessary.

Adhesive lubricants are specially designed for applications where long and reliable lubrication is required, despite adverse conditions such as high loads, moisture or extreme temperatures. They provide strong adhesion, reduce wear and extend maintenance intervals.

Here are the most important aspects to look out for when buying adhesive lubricants:

When purchasing adhesive lubricants, there are a number of factors that need to be considered to ensure that the lubricant is suitable for the application and will provide optimum performance.

• Consider the component or device for which the adhesive lubricant is required. Adhesive lubricants are suitable for chains, open gears, wire ropes, hinges and guides, but there are specific formulations for different applications.
• Check that the lubricant is suitable for the operating conditions, e.g. extreme temperatures, humidity, dust or salty air. Applications in marine or very dusty environments require special formulations with strong corrosion protection and water-repellent properties.
• A good adhesive lubricant should adhere to the surface even under strong vibrations or high speeds without being thrown off or washed off.
• For applications such as chains or gears, it is important that the lubricant is not thrown off, especially during fast movements or strong mechanical pressure.
• Make sure that the adhesive lubricant is suitable for the entire temperature range of the application. Adhesive lubricants should remain stable at both low and high temperatures.
• Ensure that the lubricant does not liquefy or evaporate at high temperatures. Lubricants for hot environments must have a high dropping point.
• In cold environments, the lubricant should retain its flexibility and lubricity and not harden.
• If the adhesive lubricant is used in humid or corrosive environments (e.g. near salt water or chemicals), it should contain special additives that protect against rust and corrosion.
• The lubricant should be good at minimizing friction and wear. This is particularly important for heavily used components that are frequently in motion or exposed to high loads.
• In humid or wet environments, it is important that the adhesive lubricant is water-repellent to prevent water ingress and the associated corrosion. Adhesive lubricants for maritime environments or applications with water contact (e.g. wire ropes in cable cars) must be particularly water-resistant.
• Some adhesive lubricants contain solid lubricants such as graphite, molybdenum disulphide (MoS₂) or PTFE (Teflon), which further reduce the coefficient of friction and provide additional protection against extremely high loads and pressures.
• EP (Extreme Pressure) additives increase the pressure resistance of the lubricant and are useful in highly stressed or highly loaded applications.
• Special additives protect the components against rust formation, especially in applications in humid or salty environments.
• The viscosity of an adhesive lubricant should match the application. Low-viscosity lubricants are more suitable for applications with fast movement (e.g. chains), while high-viscosity lubricants are more suitable for slow and highly loaded applications (e.g. open gears).
• Depending on the application, the lubricant can be liquid (spray lubricants) or pasty/greasy. Pasty adhesive lubricants adhere particularly well and are suitable for stationary, highly loaded components.
• Adhesive lubricants are available in various forms, such as spray cans, tubes, cartridges or buckets. Choose the form that best suits the application. Sprayable adhesive lubricants are ideal for hard-to-reach areas or large surfaces, while pasty lubricants are often applied by hand or with a grease gun.
• Check whether the adhesive lubricant is compatible with the materials of the components (metal, plastic, rubber). Some lubricants can attack plastic or rubber seals.
• Make sure that the lubricant does not cause any undesirable chemical reactions with the materials to be lubricated.
• Certifications such as DIN, ISO or other technical specifications can also provide information on the quality and suitability of the lubricant.
• In certain industries or environments (e.g. agriculture, nature reserves) it may be necessary to use biodegradable or environmentally friendly adhesive lubricants. These are designed to be less harmful to the environment and biodegrade more quickly.
• Some adhesive lubricants contain solvents or additives that can be harmful to health. Pay attention to safety data sheets and make sure that the lubricant complies with the applicable occupational health and safety and environmental protection guidelines.
• Adhesive lubricants vary greatly in price, depending on the additives contained, the quality and the specific properties. High-quality lubricants often offer a longer service life and better performance, which can save costs for maintenance and spare parts in the long term.
• A high-quality adhesive lubricant can provide longer lubrication intervals, which can reduce the overall cost of maintenance and operation.

When purchasing adhesive lubricants, application conditions, adhesion, temperature and water resistance, corrosion protection, viscosity and compatibility with the materials used should be carefully considered. High-quality adhesive lubricants offer better lubrication performance, longer lubrication intervals and reliably protect components against wear, which ultimately leads to higher operating efficiency and longer machine service life.

Adhesive lubricants can be purchased from various suppliers. You will find comprehensive information on manufacturers and suppliers of Adhesive lubricants around the world on Exportpages.