In such a highly regulated and competitive market as meat processing, success demands maximum productivity. However, the higher the production rate, the greater the need to grease equipment. Machine operators must choose the correct type of lubricant to withstand typical operating conditions found in meat processing plants, such as excess heat, humidity and water, as well as adopt best lubrication practices.
The situation
The sausage department of a Russian meat processing plant used an NLGI 2 multi-purpose synthetic aluminum complex grease to lubricate the bearings in their production lines. The main problem was that when the bearing housing was subjected to a water spray, the grease was washed out leaving the bearing insufficiently lubricated and more exposed to damage or failure.
The solution
The customer switched to Anderol® FGCS-2 HD, a premium calcium sulfonate complex grease. This type of grease is water resistant, has excellent mechanical stability and is formulated to resist separation under centrifugal forces. Moreover, it offers excellent rust and wear protection properties as well as load carrying ability.
The result
Since changing to Anderol® FGCS-2 HD, the meat processor has seen a dramatic decrease in water washout which has led to a significant improvement in performance, even under high loads, and reduced maintenance costs. Importantly it is an H1 NSF registered food grade grease so complies with food safety regulations where there is potential for incidental food contact, including with greases from machine parts and equipment.
The difference in water resistance
Anderol® FGCS-2 HD as well as four different aluminum complex grease competitors were tested via ASTM D1264 to determine the water wash-out resistance. This test method covers the evaluation of the resistance of a lubricating grease to washout by water from ball bearings under conditions of the test which were at 79 °C during 60 minutes.
The Anderol® FGCS-2 HD calcium sulfonate complex grease outperforms the aluminum complex greases. Find out more about this case study.
