How to choose a lubricant for your driveshaft?
As a result of the high-pressure load, the Cardan shafts are subject to surface wear and skin loss. Especially when the universal shaft is used in the automotive industry, lubrication is needed if there is a problem. In practice, the operator will use calcium-based grease to lubricate the shaft for the sake of convenience, which may cause damage. How should we choose a lubricant?
In general, we use gear oil for universal shaft lubrication, the proper viscosity of the gear oil will form a strong oil film, the lubricant will not be thrown off from the contact surface due to centrifugal force, has a good elastic dynamic lubrication. In addition, the gear oil has good oil properties and extreme pressure, which can form a boundary film of lubricant under high-pressure conditions to protect the universal shaft. It is necessary to refill the gear oil equipment and check the seal of the steel bowl, or use lithium base grease and clean up the old oil and refill the new oil in combination with the maintenance work.
Why can't I use calcium-based grease? The main points are the following.
(1) Calcium-based greases are composed of thickener calcium and a base lubricant, the structure of which is dispersed. In a long time movement will be separated, and poor mobility, difficult to form a new oil film.
(2) The grease degrades and evaporates to form a harder soap, which will hinder the rolling of the needle, causing the blockage, the new oil will not enter, and the old soap will not come out.
(3) The toughness of the oil film is poor, and the universal shaft to withstand greater torque and alternating load will be difficult to form a good oil film.
So when choosing a lubricant, we should pay attention to the gear oil for lubrication, and after adding lubricant, we should pay attention to wipe off the overflowing grease to avoid the dirt and affect the use of the universal shaft.
If you have a better choice of lubricant, please contact me, thanks!