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Lubrication Protection for Steel Applications

The Steel Industry Needs High Performance Lubrication

MicroPoly’s solid lubrication solutions are engineered for the punishing environment of steel production, where extreme heat, scale, and heavy loads make conventional greasing difficult and messy. By replacing traditional grease and oil with a proprietary oil‑filled polymer, MicroPoly helps keep lubricant in place on bearings, chains, crane wheels, and other components, reducing leakage, contamination, and frequent manual relubrication in hard‑to‑reach areas. These solid lubricants can be tailored for specific mill conditions and are used throughout steel facilities to extend component life, cut maintenance interventions, and improve housekeeping and safety around critical equipment.

Steel Lubrication: Case Studies and Results

  • Bearing Type: ZA 2207, Rexnord housed roller bearings
  • Conditions: Slow speed; ambient temperature; soapy water. Bearing life 2-3 weeks.
  • Results: Currently getting 6 weeks life out of bearings.

  • Bearing Type: Tapered roller bearings
  • Conditions: Billet comes out of reheat furnace and dependent on size and shape, may need to be turned 90° prior to entering mill stand for rolling. Estimated ambient temperature is 300 – 400° F and bearing life was approximately 2 months.
  • Results: Bearings were filled with MPI-2000, high temperature MicroPoly. Bearings have been running for 9 months so far with no failures.

  • Bearing Type: Roller thrust bearings, about 100 mm bore
  • Conditions: Water, scale and heat contamination, combined with limited ability to lubricate and inability to contain grease. Temperature less than 120°F.
  • Results: Bearing life was more than doubled.

  • Bearing Type: Spherical and split roller bearings
  • Conditions: Inconsistent bearing lubrication due to availability problems and safety considerations. This caused inconsistent bearing life.
  • Results: Bearing life increased three to fourfold. Some plants totally eliminated manual lubrication.

  • Bearing Type: Spherical roller bearing, 22226CK
  • Conditions: Heat from furnace melted lubricant in bearing, causing melted lubricant to leak onto the steel strip. Temperature 300°F.
  • Results: High temperature MicroPoly was installed in the bearings. The leakage problem has been solved, eliminating the need to scrap materials due to lubricant contamination.

  • Bearing Type: Tapered roller bearing, 7″ bore
  • Conditions: Water and heat. MicroPoly serves as a back up to an automatic lubrication system to reduce the unscheduled maintenance. Bearing life was unpredictable and inconsistent.
  • Results: Bearings have been in use for 2 years.

  • Bearing Type: Rexnord housed roller bearings
  • Conditions: Bearings operate at 300°F. Bearing speed 80 RPM. Bearing life 2-3 weeks.
  • Results: Bearings were filled with high temperature MicroPoly. Bearings have been running 3 months so far with no failures.

  • Bearing Type: 1″ x 2″ x 12″ chain lube block
  • Conditions: Some radiant heat, less than 200 degrees F. Previous chain guide material did not hold up and had to be replaced 3 or 4 times per year.
  • Results: MicroPoly chain lube blocks, placed at interval spacing, reduced replacement frequency of chain guide to once per year. This resulted in saving significant material replacement and labor costs.

  • Bearing Type: Housed roller bearings
  • Conditions: Conveyor removes scale from a water and scale pit. Bearing life 6 to 8 days.
  • Results: MicroPoly filled bearings have lasted over 8 months.

  • MicroPoly Type: Bronze liners plugged with MicroPoly
  • Conditions: Normal mill environment, lube lines were damaged. Life unpredictable.
  • Results: Achieved 4 to 10 years life with MicroPoly.

  • MicroPoly Type: Bronze bushings plugged with MicroPoly
  • Conditions: Steel shot contamination. Life unpredictable.
  • Results: Life increased three to fourfold with MicroPoly.

  • Bearing Type: Spherical roller bearings, 23124
  • Conditions: Water quench.
  • Results: MicroPoly filled bearings have increased life threefold.

  • Bearing Type: Spherical roller bearings, 22211
  • Conditions: Bearings were located deep within the equipment and could not be externally lubricated. Bearing life was 6 months.
  • Results: MicroPoly filled bearings have been running 3 years with no failures. Cost savings have been substantial. Unscheduled down time to change out a failed bearing cost $250,000.

  • Bearing Type: Spherical roller bearings, 23124 & 22224
  • Conditions: Water, scale and heat contamination. Bearing life 3 months. Temperature less than 120°F. Speed 120 RPM.
  • Results: With MicroPoly, bearing life was more than doubled.

  • Bearing Type: Rexnord ZA 2203, 2-3/16″ pillow block
  • Conditions: Water spray.
  • Results: MicroPoly filled bearings increased life twofold.

  • Bearing Type: 6204 single row ball bearing, shielded on one side
  • Conditions: Eccentric forces pushed grease out of bearing. Bearing life 2 hours to 7 days with conventional lubrication. Speed 1200 RPM and 2500 RPM eccentric speed.
  • Results: Bearing life 60-70 days with MicroPoly.

Need Help Choosing a Lubricant?

Please reach out to us or your local representative, and we will help in any way we can.