How to Choose a Good Lubricant

Lubricants are necessary for many different applications and if you are looking for a commercial lubricant, the use will determine which one you need.

Types of Lubricant

There are three main types of lubricant, each with its own characteristics that make it useful for specific activities. These include:

●     Fluid-Liquids: These include mineral oils, vegetable oils, and synthetic oils such as polyglycolic and alkylbenzene.

●     Semi-solid: This type of lubricant refers to grease, which is not quite liquid, unless heated to a certain temperature, but also not solid.

●     Solid-Dry: Some lubricants provide liquid-free lubrication and include graphite and PbO, among others. 

The type of lubricant you use will depend on what type of machinery you have to lubricate. Each one will have its needs.

How Lubricants Are Used

Transportation uses assorted engine oils, including diesel engine oil, gasoline engine oil, automatic transmission oil, and automotive gear oil. Every type of vehicle uses its own engine oil, including trucks, motorcycles, and planes.

In the industrial sector, you have a wide range of lubricants that are used in a number of ways. Hydraulic oil, machine and machine gear oil are some of the more common things that are used. You’ll also notice that circulating oil, compressor oil and refrigerant oils are frequently used in the industrial area.

Cutting oil, rolling oil, and heat-treating oil are frequently used for metalworking. Other oils that are constantly used in assorted industries include process oil, electrical insulating oil, and grease.

Choosing Your Lubricant

Which type of lubricant should you use? The first thing to do is to check what the recommended lubricants are for your application. You may need more than one type in order to keep the machinery functioning well.



Lubricants come in different viscosities, which makes them useful in different applications. This refers to how thick or sticky the lubricant is. The higher the viscosity means it is thicker or stickier, while lower viscosity is the opposite. There is an index that you can follow for the viscosity. The higher the viscosity index, the more temperature stable the lubricant.

Your equipment should come with recommendations for the proper lubricants to use, so follow the directions carefully.

If you’re looking for a source for high-quality commercial lubricants, consider Northern Oils. We offer quality, affordable lubricants. Contact us today to learn more.