We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Materials

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Valve Oil?

By C. Daw
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 8,373
Share

Valve oil is a lubricant that is used to reduce friction and make machines work smoothly, and for corrosion removal. From huge yarn manufacturing machines to simple handgun production lines, any mechanical machine has gears and valves that play a vital role. The production rate is calculated by considering the power of the motor and the number of gear teeth and valves. Gears, rotors and pistons are constantly moving parts, leading to the build up of high amounts of friction. This process increases the chances of damage to sophisticated parts, which is where valve oil plays an important role.

The higher the friction that the parts within the machine produce, the higher the levels of heat will be. This rising heat can alter the performance of extremely tiny parts, or tiny holes, within the machine. Tiny holes can be closed and gears can fail. Sometimes, because of oxidization, the machine parts need to be scrubbed. There is always a chance of damaging tiny parts in the equipment, so keeping the work process smooth is the most important aspect of maintaining a machine. The valve oil is the additive that ensures that the parts within the machine are well lubricated and kept free from corrosion.

Valve oil is actually petroleum oil and contains various other minerals, and can be classified as either mineral or synthetic based oils. It is used in between fractionating dimensions, especially valves, rotors, pistons and gears. On the market are many different lubricants for each specific part, such as rotor oil and piston oil. The only differences between them are the viscosity and density; otherwise they are basically the same. The levels of viscosity and density specify the oil for a particular machine part. Some have high viscosity, while others have the same viscosity as water. Since water is considered to be the liquid of lowest viscosity, it is always a question why some valve oils are produced to match it. In some cases, machines use very little energy because of the tiny valves that are used, so it is imperative for them to use a low viscosity liquid to keep the machine at its optimal speed.

Synthetic valve oil consists of different molecular masses and formations that are calculated and specified. Usually synthetic valve oils follow several methods to reduce friction. Some work as sliding oil, while others use chemical reactions that absorb heat to form a thick liquid. Common branded products list these specifications directly on the product, and these synthetic valve oils are considered to be the best for applications that involve manufacturing equipment. On the other hand, applications that require several machines in a series to be lubricated are advised that mineral based oils should be used.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-valve-oil.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.