MOLYKOTE® for Electric Motors

DuPont MOLYKOTE® Products for Electric Motors

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The recommended lubricant type for optimal protection and operation of electric motors is grease, ideally one with performance additives for good oxidation and wear resistance and low oil migration. There is a range of specific challenges and requirements across many applications that will help dictate the best choice of synthetic grease for your electric motor setup. MOLYKOTE® high-performance greases from DuPont provide excellent, long-lasting lubrication across low to medium speeds and wide temperature ranges.

Electric Motor Lubrication Requirements 

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When selecting a lubricant for an electric motor application, a few key factors can help dictate the proper grease selection.

• Temperature Range

One of the most important factors to consider is operational temperatures. Is the motor exposed to a wide temperature range in both operational and nonoperational hours? If the grease selected has poor low- or high-temp stability, you could be forced to relubricate much more frequently or, in the worst-case scenario, have to replace bearings due to a failure.

• Compatibility 

Another aspect to consider in grease selection is the overall lubricant compatibility. Does the base oil, thickener system, or performance additive chemistry have a detrimental effect on O-rings or elastomeric seals in the motor? Does the new grease have miscibility concerns with the incumbent lubricant? Improper selection may result in high grease migration, oil loss, or failures across components or seals.

• Bearing Speed 

Not all bearings run under the same load or conditions; some may be exposed to extreme pressure, high load, or high RPM speeds. As such, the consistency or NLGI Grade of these greases can dramatically affect overall performance. Speed performance and shear stability are critical to a grease's resistance to oil loss.

• Performance Additives

Finally, it is important to consider the additional benefits of performance-additive technology. Does the grease need good corrosion protection? Does it need anti-wear or noise suppression or enhanced low-temperature performance? For long-term motor performance, "good enough" may not be the best solution. The specific system setup and industrial application will dictate the important additives to consider.