Many applications call for extreme-pressure (EP) gear oil to prevent wear on gears and bearings under demanding conditions, including high temperatures, pressures and shock loads. Low-quality oils deteriorate quicky under heat and pressure, leading to sludge, filter plugging, micropitting wear and potential equipment failure. The resulting downtime, maintenance and repair costs can add up quickly. Choosing a high-quality EP gear oil helps ensure smooth and efficient operation, while reducing maintenance and downtime and extending the life of your equipment.
Extreme-Pressure Applications
Extreme-Pressure (EP) gear oils are essential for a wide range of industrial applications where gears are subjected to high loads and shock conditions, including:
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Industrial Gears: Spur, helical, bevel and steel-on-steel worm gearing.
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Heavy-Duty Drives: Conveyors, agitators, dryers, extruders, fans, mixers, presses, pulpers and pumps.
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High-Load Bearings: Plain bearings and rolling contact bearings under high loads, especially at low speeds.
Selecting the right EP gear oil depends on:
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Operating Conditions: Extremely hot, cold or wet environments require gear oil engineered for severe service. Chlorine EP additives can accelerate corrosion in the presence of water.
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Compatibility: Sulfur-based EP additives are common but can be corrosive at higher temperatures, especially to yellow metals like copper, brass and bronze, which are commonly found in worm drives. Sulfur EP additives may also be incompatible with zinc anti-wear additives, so mixing EP and AW oils is not recommended. Additionally, Polyalkylene glycol (PAG) gear oils are incompatible with mineral or PAO synthetic oils and require thorough flushing of the system when switching between oil types.
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Environmental: Gear oils with zinc or chlorine additives should be avoided in environmentally sensitive areas.
Proof of Performance
AMSOIL Industrial EP gear oils are engineered to provide maximum resistance to scuffing wear and micropitting fatigue on industrial gears and bearings operating under extreme pressures and shock loads. They resist thermal and mechanical breakdown under extreme stress to deliver complete all-season gearbox protection.
Our commitment to excellence is backed by rigorous testing and proven results. For instance, AMSOIL Industrial helped one customer save millions of dollars by implementing a lubrication program that extended equipment life and reduced downtime. Since its installation, AMSOIL Industrial Synthetic Power Transmission EP Gear Oil enabled fine filtration for better system cleanliness and extended oil life, which helped decrease downtime and maintenance and prevent micropitting wear.
AMSOIL Industrial EP gear oils are proven in service and installed in more than 40,000 heavily loaded gearboxes across several industries worldwide. For ultimate performance, several AMSOIL Industrial gear oils are filtered to an ISO 4406 cleanliness code of 16/14/11 at the time of packaging, exceeding industry standards for gearbox cleanliness, which can dramatically extend gearbox life.
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Maximum resistance to micropitting wear
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Excellent anti-foam performance
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Durable extreme-pressure (EP) and anti-wear (AW) performance
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Enhanced water resistance
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Superior shear and thermal stability
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Outstanding filterability
Conclusion
Choosing high-quality lubricants and performing regular lubricant analysis and maintenance are the keys to maximizing the potential of your machinery. Correct application of EP gear oils ensures optimum equipment performance that can reduce downtime and increase your profitability. Contact an AMSOIL Industrial Application Engineer today to learn more about customized solutions designed to improve your operational efficiency.