Lubricant development

The low-temperature behavior of lubricants is a particular challenge. Conventional lubricants become viscous or solidify completely at low temperatures, which can lead to increased starting torque, wear or even total failure. Our low-temperature lubricants remain flowable and lubricating even at -40°C or below. The development of such specialty products requires an in-depth understanding of rheology and molecular chemistry. Applications can be found in polar research, aerospace, cold stores and special winter vehicles. Our laboratories can carry out low temperature tests down to -40°C and simulate the start-up behavior of your components under realistic conditions.

For sensitive applications, a low noise level is an absolute quality feature. Special precision lubricants are used for noise reduction. Our know-how also covers this area. Noise is caused by friction, vibrations and discontinuous movements such as stick-slip. Our acoustically optimized lubricants work on several levels: They form an even, stable lubricating film that reliably separates metal surfaces. Special damping additives absorb vibration energy and convert it into heat. The viscosity is adjusted to provide optimum damping with minimum friction. We optimize the formulation to achieve the desired result. This development is particularly important for premium products such as luxury vehicles, high-quality household appliances or medical instruments, where smooth running is a decisive quality feature.

For applications where relubrication during the life cycle of the product is not possible, lifetime lubrication is required. For such cases, we can simulate the lifetime properties of lubricants in our laboratories using special test methods and thus design the right lubricant for you. The challenge is to develop a lubricant that retains its properties for years or decades. This includes the selection of oxidation-stable base oils that do not resinify or polymerize. Thickeners must be mechanically stable and must not segregate. The additive package must be balanced in such a way that it remains effective in the long term without failing. Our accelerated ageing tests simulate years of stress in just a few weeks. We test oil separation, penetration change, oxidation stability and tribological performance. Thermal cycling tests show the behavior at changing temperatures. The results are incorporated into mathematical models that enable a service life prediction. This enables us to guarantee that your products will function reliably over their entire planned service life.

Small quantity - big effect. That is the aim of minimum quantity lubrication. The combination with epilamization is often the right solution to ensure that the lubricant is fully effective in the right place. The advantages of minimum quantity lubrication are manifold: reduced lubricant costs, no contamination of adjacent areas, lower environmental impact and often even improved lubricating effect. However, the development requires precisely matched lubricants. The surface tension must be adjusted so that the lubricant wets optimally without creeping away. The viscosity must ensure the formation of a permanent lubricating film even with minimal quantities. Special adhesion additives improve adhesion to the surfaces. In combination with epilamization, defined lubricant deposits are created exactly where they are needed. Our development not only includes the lubricant itself, but also recommendations for the optimum application technique - from the dosage to the application method and quality control.

Extreme heat places special demands on lubricants. At temperatures above 80°C, conventional products fail due to evaporation, oxidation or thermal degradation. Tell us your environmental conditions and we will develop the right product for you.