COOLANT for a hose pump and regular grease: what is the difference in function and application
There is often confusion around consumable fluids for hose and peristaltic pumps. Some people call any composition oil, others use the word "lubricant", and others talk about coolant. Because of this, errors appear during the selection process: a product is used for the pump that is formally similar in viscosity, but designed for other tasks. To avoid such substitutions, it is important to separate the functions of the formulations and understand where conventional lubricant is used for the pump chamber, and where it is a coolant in a different sense.
The usual lubricant for a hose pump works inside the housing, in the area of contact of the hose with the rollers or shoes. Its task is to reduce friction, remove heat, reduce wear on the outer surface of the hose and ensure more stable operation of the mechanical part. This composition is involved precisely in ensuring the life of the pump. It is not designed to process a part, tool, or cutting area, as is typical for classical coolants in metalworking.
COOLANT in industrial practice is usually understood as a lubricating and cooling liquid for technological operations. It is fed into the working area of the machine, cools the tool, reduces friction during cutting, helps to remove chips and stabilizes the machining process. In terms of composition, conditions of use, and property requirements, this is a completely different class of products. Even if the liquid also reduces friction and dissipates heat, its functions are different.
In the context of hose pumps, confusion sometimes arises due to the fact that the lubrication chamber also performs a cooling function. But this does not make it a coolant in the usual industrial meaning. The pump lubricant does not circulate in the cutting system, is not designed for contact with metal shavings and is not selected according to the parameters of machine processing. It has a different operating mode, a different set of risks, and a different performance criterion.
The main differences between coolant and conventional hose pump lubricant are:
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The lubrication of the pump protects the hose and rollers, and the coolant maintains the processing process.;
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The pumping unit operates in a closed chamber of the equipment, and the coolant is usually supplied to an open working area.;
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Compatibility with the elastomer of the hose is critical for the pump, and properties important for processing metal or other material are critical for coolant;
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The lubrication of the pump must remain stable during prolonged mechanical contact, and the coolant must remain stable during circulation, heating, and removal of impurities.;
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The selection criteria for these products are different, even if both have a cooling function.
In practice, replacing a special lubricant for a hose pump with an unsuitable compound leads to several problems. The first is the chemical incompatibility with the hose material. Some liquids may cause swelling.,