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When the parts of machines that have relative motion are found to be rubbing against each other, they press together with considerable force. To prevent the two surfaces from damage, lubricants are often used. If the metallic surfaces need cleaning, the speed of rubbing is high, or the force pressing the surfaces together is considerable, then the parts scraping against each other will be destroyed over time. This makes the use of lubricants necessary. Lubricants are instrumental in coming between the two machine surfaces and preventing them from being seriously abraded.

There are three kinds of lubricants: solid, semi-solid and liquid lubricants. Of these, the first two behave as rollers or a film between the two abrading surfaces which will keep them from rubbing against each other. Liquid lubricants act as liquid films between the two surfaces, with the bearing floating on them. The resistance to abrasion is contained in the liquid.

Solid lubricants: Commonly used lubricants are graphite and soapstone. These lubricants are used when liquids or soft solids cannot be used and when the surfaces between which the lubricant will be placed are hard materials. These materials are then mixed with oil or grease to improve their efficiency as lubricants.

Semi-solid lubricants: By adding animal and vegetable fats to soap and water, it is possible to create grease lubricants. If you use large quantities of these greases as lubricants for surfaces such as railway wagon axles, you’ll find them excellent. If the fats and greases you use have melting points that are close to the temperature of the objects around them, the lubricating films get so heated by the two surfaces rubbing against each other (or causing friction) that they melt and turn into oils or semi-solid lubricants. In this state, these semi-solid lubricants are put into bearings by a kind of industrial syringe with a spring piston.

Liquid lubricants: All bearings should ideally function on minimal friction and be lubricated with liquid lubricants sourced from animals, vegetables or minerals. While mineral oils are a mix of hydrocarbons of differing viscosity, thickness and oiliness, they are the distilled products of petroleum from America and Russia. Oils sourced from animal and vegetable materials are neither volatile without decomposition nor are they ready-to-use in animal and plant tissues. Instead, they are derived from adipose tissue by heating or boiling with water. But the good news is that they can be used for high-speed bearings. For instance, sometimes the rubbing or abrasive surfaces produce better results when doused heavily with the liquid lubricant, which then extends to all parts and surfaces.